Need an Excuse to Visit the Big Apple....We've Got One For You!

WWW.SOPHIASFALL.COM

Major kudos, congrats and bravos to Mr. Rob Seitelman and Mr. Ben Birney for the acceptance of their musical "Sophia's Fall" (Based on Milton's poem, Paradise Lost) into NYMF (New York Musical Festival)!!!!!! I have seen version 4 through 7.5 and it's brilliant! It's playing at 37 Arts on 37th and 11th (I think) from Sept. 18-20. WOOOHOOO!!!

Sophia's Fall will be hosting a fundraiser at Chevy's at The Embarcadero in a few weeks. More details to come...

So, if you need an excuse to travel, you got one!

And, our trip to our old digs only means that we get to spend time with our FRIENDS!!! And meet babies that were born after we moved. Hurry up Sept. 15th....we're coming soon!! YIPPEE!!!

Two Months Gone By

Geez...two months + have gone by without blogging. Well, I guess packing, moving, getting a new job, joining the Board of the Jewish Federation Young Leadership Division, weddings, birthdays, showers and such will do that to ya. So, a recap of the past 60 some days...Rob and I said goodbye to Hollywood and we arrived full circle back to the Bay. We have been currently living at my mom's but will be moving to our new digs on Friday (fingers crossed with the movers) to Walnut Creek. A perfect location...30 minutes to both of your jobs in two opposite directions. Though I'll miss city life, it's nice to get settled. However, I wouldn't call the past year in LA an experience in a city. LA is more like one big suburb. I miss my New York...but we are coming to visit her next month. WOOOHOOO!!! I got a job as the Director of Community Relations at Sunrise Senior Living and am loving every bit of it. Rob's been working diligently on his curriculum for his students. He is the theater teacher and department head of a brand new performing arts high school in Antioch. I joined the Board of the Young Leadership Division (YLD) of the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay. It's been fantastic!! And, the people are even more wonderful! I will announce all of the "not to be missed" events in the coming months we are planning. Calling all Jews...come on down for some good grub, good schmoozing and all around good times! It has been a special treat to be just minutes from mom and dad and old friends. I haven't had that in about five years. I wish Rob's fam was closer so we could all enjoy our company together. Toby found new friends at Pride & Pedigree. If you live in the Oakland area, and have a pooch, take your doggie to the best day care EVER...Pride & Pedigree. Yes, we are one of those couples. I am doing everything I said I wouldn't with a dog. We've settled back into the Bay Area life pretty quickly....a much slower pace but a good one. CAL season tickets, Berkeley Rep season tickets, an apartment big enough to host many dinners and have many people spend the night (anything seems bigger than 490 sq. ft) :) Life is good. I hope it's good for you, too!

Nostalgia...One year (almost) gone by

IRELAND! If you haven't been...GO!
Hard to believe Rob and I have been married for a year (well, in 13 days). The in-laws in Long Beach threw an almost anni party for us with their friends on Saturday (pictures to post soon) but the party got me thinking about our wedding and our H-Moon! And what a honeymoon it was...here are some of the pics. Remember...if you haven't been to the Green Isle...you must!!



Hahahahaha...okay, so here we are looking for the darn Guiness Factory and it starts to down pour...I'm wanting to get a cab and Rob insists that we are very close to the gates so he stands in the pouring rain reading a sopping wet map. Too funny! LOVED IT!
GORGEOUS! These are views along the coast on Achill Island. A detour we were not planning on. That was the best part of the H-Moon. We weren't on any schedule and and if we decided we weren't keen on any area we travelled to another. Though Achill Island was "out of the way" it was the best three days ever! A place of beauty, relaxation and pure serenity. We stayed at The Bervie...owned by John and Elizabeth. A darling couple who serve you an Irish Breakfast, Lunch, Tea and Dinner. Wow! We definitely will go back...

My Boys!!

Dad and doggie look a bit schnockered in this pic but I promise there was no bubbly involved...just bubbly from our happiness with the most adorable pooch in the world. What a face...it just spells H-A-P-P-I-N-E-S-S!!!!!!

Kathryn & Ryan

Okay, so, unfortunately, we met up over sad circumstances but we were so happy to be with each other. K & R just happen to be the most wonderful people in the world! Our darling friends from NYC. Here we are at the famous San Tung in the Sunset District. K & R have raved about this place for years...we finally went and, wow, it was goooooood!

Dinner with Friends

The best things in life are friends! Dining and friends...what more could you ask for? A good schmooze amongst a feel-good ambience and a delectable meal...Rob and I met up with Dave for an evening at McCormick & Schmick's (Thanks, Lainee) in Beverly Hills. YUM! Then we made way back to Dave's for some dessert, wine, homemade beer (for the boys) and good times!



Bree and Colin met up with us at The Galleria in Sherman Oaks. So, okay...we have to admit...we were craving a chain...Cheesecake Factory.


Amanda, Bree and I met up at Coral Tree Cafe in Brentwood for one of our monthly dinners. Well, we try to make it monthly but sometimes a few extra weeks pass by. Gosh, I'm going to miss these. But at least we have our Annual Girls Weekend which also includes Alli & Claudia!!

Dog Gone Good

Excuse me...it doesn't get any cuter than this!!!!!!! Toby's favorite thing to do is spend the day at the park. We were on our usual weekend stroll and stopped by Woodbridge Park. He gets so excited as we approach the corner. He just can't move fast enough...he practically chokes himself on his collar tugging and pulling until we are smack in the middle of the green grass and amongst children. He is so cute. He just plops down, loves the breeze in his face and just pants in such excitement watching everyone play. Naturally, he gets LOTS of attention from families. He just loves the kids...he gives them licks when they say hello.


Here's Toby getting into the shopping bag. Of course some shopping has to be done on a Saturday afternoon stroll. Oy, we love this doggie!!!

FAB, FRILLS & FUN!

A bachelorette weekend of sunny days in Palm Springs! Celebrating the bride to be, Alli, with all the girls in tow--Claudia, Amanda, Bree, Shandra and myself. We never left The Parker (http://www.theparkerpalmsprings.com/), bathed in the sun, lounged in the gardens, champagne toasts, wine at sunset, greyhounds and margaritas, dessert room-service, brunch, and Muddled Lemon!!...a complete refresher with the girls! And we even said a HELLO to Carson Kressley (you know, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and How To Look Good Naked). Good times!

So Proud of the Hubby

DeltAcademy for the Performing Arts

Rob was officially offered his first teaching job at Delta Academy for the Performing Arts! He is one of the seven founding teachers at the new high school. You are looking at the full-time theater teacher! BRAVO, Mr. S!!!! WOOOHOOO!

One of those weekends...

...that just felt so good! You wake up on Monday (and though the thought of having a whole work week ahead sucks) you think back and feel at ease, at peace and refreshed from a GREAT weekend! I LOVE those moments! Seders, family, friends, shopping, cornbeef on rye, kugel...the BEST!

The Meshpucha

The whole meshpucha gathered at Lainee's and Uncle P's for seder! It was loveable... all cousins from 1st to 2nd to once removed. New babies, birthdays, good food and a very short Haggadah (who could ask for more). You Bet Your Balls was won by Noah and Simon! A matzoh ball contest the family has played for nearly 70 years!

The Ladies (ONLY)

Last Thursday was spent at the NCJW Seder for Women! It was wonderfully delicious in so many ways. My mom and Lainee joined in the fun, I got to be with my fabulous NCJW young women's group friends, the Haggadah was all about women's involvement in Passover history. Needless to say that Miriam, Moses' sister, had much to do with the traditions...how fitting, my Mimi. Catered by Balabusta! LOVE IT! Good times! Btw, two of the ladies in this pic are preggos with twins and due 7 days apart...coincidence!

Party of Five on the Block

Toby and I were on our usual evening walk, we had just turned onto Tujunga passing by the boutique shops and what do you know...Toby made fast friends with Neve Campbell. Well, okay, not friends but she sure thought he was cute (naturally) and gave him a few pets. Only in LA.

P.S.

I wanted to call this blog "The Seitelman Shtup," but I don't think that would go over too well.

My turn

I love my wife. She is the best. Seriously, look at this new family, can you take it? Things are going very well with me. Quite a few things in the fire, in the pipes, etc. that I will be happily reporting about as soon as I can. Right now, please check out my other websites, www.robseitelman.com and www.sophiasfall.com to see my other business-related blogs. In the meantime, just submit yourself to the cuteness of the puppy.

The Start of the Blog

We had a great weekend with my mom-in-law, Susan! Very chill...we ate at our favorite hang out, Aroma, showed her the quaint streets of Studio City, walked along the Tujunga strip, walked Tobers to Woodbridge Park, spent time shopping and dining at Mexican food with Aunt Lainee & Uncle P. Mom comes in town tomorrow. Mom, Lainee and myself are going to the NCJW women's seder on Thursday. Then the big ol' family feast on Friday (we're celebrating it late this year). Just to get some pictures started...here's a pick of the three of us... A.R.T (how fitting...my hubby the artist). Nevermind our fancy wardrobes...we were off to an 80s Prom Night Party with Cheryl, Oren, Nicole and the gang!