For centuries, philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle have pondered the question “what is happiness?” It is the age old question that every man wants the answer to. After all, who does not want to be happy? Ancient Greeks believed that a man attains happiness when he does whatever is physically pleasing to him, while Aristotle came to the conclusion that happiness is achieved when one acts virtuously and piously. The truth is something entirely different, and is in fact quite simplistic. Really, all that a person needs to be happy in life is to appreciate all that he has. This idea is illustrated in the Charlie Brown song, called “Happiness,” in which each member of the ‘Peanuts’ cast lists things in his life that make him happy. These things are not big things; they don’t cost a lot of money, and they are not rare or exotic. Rather, they are common, everyday events or objects that give a sense of pleasure to whoever stops to appreciate them. But the lyrics can speak for themselves, so here they are:

CHARLIE BROWN I'm so happy. That little red-headed girl dropped her pencil. It has teeth marks all over it. She nibbles her pencil. She's human! It hasn't been such a bad day after all. Happiness is finding a pencil

SNOOPY Pizza with sausage

LINUS Telling the time

SCHROEDER Happiness is learning to whistle

LINUS Tying you shoe For the very first time.

SALLY Happiness is playing the drum In your own school band.

CHARLIE BROWN And happiness is walking hand in hand. Happiness is two kinds of ice cream...

LUCY Knowing a secret...

SCHROEDER Climbing a tree.

CHARLIE BROWN Happiness is five different crayons...

SCHROEDER Catching a firefly... Setting him free.

CHARLIE BROWN Happiness is being alone every now and then. ALL And happiness is coming home again.

CHARLIE BROWN Happiness is morning and evening, Daytime and nighttime too. For happiness is anyone and anything at all That's loved by you.

LINUS Happiness is having a sister

LUCY Sharing a sandwich

LUCY AND LINUS Getting along-

ALL Happiness is singing together when day is through. And happiness is those who sing with you. Happiness is morning and evening, Daytime and nighttime, too,

CHARLIE BROWN For happiness is anyone and anything at all That's loved by you.

Purim: A Time to Be Joyous We learn from the Talmud to "increase happiness" in Adar, the month of Purim, when we celebrate and express our gratitude to God for delivering the Jews in ancient Persia from their enemies. It says in Proverbs, “הוי מקבל את כל האדם בםפר פנים יפות”: “Greet every person with a smile.” It is important to smile and show a positive attitude, all the time because you never know what your smile could do. There is a story of a simple Jew who worked in a meat factory. Every day when he entered the factory, he greeted the guard with a cheerful hello and a great big smile. And again every night, he thanked the guard and wished him a good night. These encounter happened every day for many years. One day the guard noticed that the Jew did not tell him good night, so he went to find his friend. The guard did a thorough search, and finally found the Jew locked in a freezer. “How did you find me?” asked the Jew to the guard. The guard replied, “I knew that you were still inside because I knew that you would not leave without telling me good night.” We see from this story that a small smile every morning, even if the Jew was having a rough morning, saved his life. This year may we be zoche to be doubly happy during this double Adar, and may our happiness help bring the geula.

Dear Avigayil,

I live in Atlanta where it is often hard to find tznius clothing. I went to New York and bought three nice school skirts. Within the first week, one got red paint on it when I was cleaning out the activities room, one got ripped from a nail sticking out of one of the grey rolling chairs in the lounge, and one was put into a give-away bag because I accidentally left it in the lounge one day after gym. What should I wear tomorrow? - Skirtless

Dear Skirtless,

I suggest wearing the skirt that got red paint on it from the activities room tomorrow because if you just look around, you will not feel at all uncomfortable. Haven’t you noticed that other girls are wearing clothing with bleach stains, dirt smudges, and last night’s dinner decorating them? As for the skirt that was ripped due to one of those rolling chairs in the lounge, I say, sew up the hole and wear it anyway! A logical person would tell you to suggest to the office that these horrendous chairs be thrown away… however, in my opinion, your best course of action would be to wear the skirt and tell anyone who questions you about the rip that it was because of the grey chair in the lounge. Everything will be clear then and no one will question you or think of it further! In regards to the skirt that was given away because you neglected it in the lounge, I think you should write a furious letter to the administration expressing your extreme agitation at their lack of respect or care for other’s belongings! (Don’t mention the fact that they warned you a mere 103 times before committing this heinous act).

Dear Avigayil,

In class, I can’t see the board because I sit behind two girls whose hair is arranged in such a way that they have added an additional two inches to the top of their heads in the form of a bump. This is very frustrating to me! What should I do? -Hair Hater



Dear Hair Hater,

This new fad of making the top of your hair into a large, obtrusive bump has been around for a few months. Therefore, there is no need to worry, for in only a few weeks, this bothersome style will be “out” and everyone will be wearing their hair in tight little buns or something like that. Just hold it out for a little while longer and soon you will no longer have someone’s hair in your vision. Soon you will be able to see the board during class (however, I recommend sleeping instead… it helps you stay awake for play practice!)

Happiness. What is it? The answer depends on who you ask. This age old questions has been a much sought after topic that has inspired people to attempt to find that one thing that will satisfy their hearts to the fullest. Ages ago, the great philosopher Socrates suggested that the chief good in the world is happiness. But first, let’s define what this happiness actually is.

According to the online dictionary Wikipedia, “happiness is an emotion in which one experience feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy.” Sometimes, the same person can have different opinions of true happiness at different times in his life. When he is sick, he will tell you it is health. When he is poor he will tell you it is wealth.

But, according to this premise, happiness is dependent on circumstance, which means a person has the right to be aggravated and annoyed when things are not going his way. With this attitude one might see that he continuously finds himself feeling down and dejected, not satisfied with how certain things in his life are falling into play. What this person may not realize is that he has absolutely no idea what is truly good for him and that his job is not to decide what is or is not good, but to make the best of each situation. There is a sentence in Proverbs that states: "כל ימי עני רעים, וטוב לב משתה תמיד" (15:15) “All the days of a poor person are bad, and he with a good heart has a constant party”. The sages explain that “poor” refers to one who has a negative attitude toward others and is not happy with the things he has. A “good heart” indicates one who is always happy with what he has, regardless of whether it seems that it is good for him. He is completely dependent on the fact that G-d is doing that is best for him. This type of person will then live his life as if he is just running from one party to another. He will view everything in his life as something good and fun. Not only that, but he will literally have many parties to go to because everyone will want to be around him and he’ll have many friends. Our sages say that when a person dies and goes to heaven, G-d will show him a video of his life. The person will see how every circumstance had a reason, how every happening was important to future events. He will see that everything that happened to him in his life was truly good for him, although sometimes it may have looked like it was bad.

There are many stories that show things that have happened that looked like they were the most awful things that could ever occur. Yet, in the end a person realized how crucial it was for that to happen, in order for a good result to occur. One story is told of a man whose son was the star player of his basketball team in school. The summer before his senior year, the son went to a basketball camp to train, in hopes that he would receive a scholarship for college. The father was very concerned that his son should get this scholarship. Two days before camp ended, the boy fell and broke his arm. The father was fuming! How could this happen! As it was only a week before school was starting, the boy would not be able to play basketball, and there was no way now that he would get a scholarship. This looked like the worst thing that could ever happen. A few weeks later, some time in September, the father took the boy to the doctor to get the boy’s arm looked at. The doctor was running late and they had to wait an extra hour in his office. This just pushed the father over the top! Now he was late to work on the day that he was supposedly going to get a huge promotion! How could G-d do this to him?! First his son breaks his arm- at the end of the summer, right before his last high school year when he might have gotten a scholarship. Then, because of his arm, the father is late to work and may have ruined his chances of getting a big promotion! As the father drove to work in his New York office, he was outraged! Yet, as he continued to drive, the streets became more crowded and he could not get through because the city was in utter chaos; the Twin Towers had fallen. His office, on the sixty-fourth floor was in ruins! The man realized that every event that day had to happen when and how it did. Had his son not broken his arm, had the father not taken him to the doctor, had the doctor not been late, then the man would have probably been dead!

Stories like this occur all the time. These are real life stories that happen to us and people we know every single day! Look out for them. Live your life as a person who is happy- happy with what he has, secure in knowing that G-d orchestrates every event in our lives. Do not let you happiness be dependent on the circumstance. One who does not live his life this way will find that his moods will keep changing, as if swinging on a pendulum. At one instance he may be upset because he does not like how something is going, and then a moment later he can be ecstatic because he sees how good that thing was for him. However, it is important to note that G-d does not always reveal the orchestration and plan of our lives. Therefore we may not always see that a circumstance was good. That is why, when a person lives his life in reaction to how events play out, he may find that he is rarely happy.

There is a famous quote that says "Unlike income, happiness is tax-free." It does not hurt to be happy. One will not lose out on life. Being happy only enriches one’s life and adds more to it. So what is the answer to the age old question? What is the one thing that will let you live a full, wealthy, enjoyable life? At any moment, whether poor or sick, this mindset will create joy. Knowing G-d runs the world and assures only goodness will keep you happy. Be one of those people who chose to embrace life. Choose to live like this. Do not let life slip away. You only live one time, make it a good one.

Play... “It’s Awesome"(Shoshie Silverman) Most people’s Favorite scene: Workshop scene 2nd Favorite scene: Park scene “It’s almost as good as reading" (Hadassah Morris) Everyone has a ton of practices but they all everyone agree that “it’s fun!” Can’t wait till March 25th and 26th!!

Shabbaton... It was a blast! Everyone enjoyed the weekend off at a cabin in lovers lane in Dahlonega, Georgia. The theme was Kedusha. Chevi Garfinkel came with us as an inspirational speaker. There were claims of a bear sighting. Don’t worry it was just a dog! (or at least I think so)

other... Rabbi Freindluch is teaching a series of classes about the application of Hilchos Loshon Harah for Mishmeres. Temima welcomes some new faculty members this semester: Mr. Cook- humanities teacher Mr. Kramer- physics teacher Mrs. Laura Fruchtman - office Mrs. Wendy White - office Mrs. Griselle Montanez - AP biology teacher

The Conveyor Belt

Wisely, I decided that rather than brave the incorrigible wind of this foreign and strange land, I ought to go back inside and start raking my brain for ideas of what to do with myself. Once inside, I was again awed by the enormity of what appeared before me. I circled the room in wonder, amazed at how many people there were, how fast everything was moving…suddenly, I found myself on some sort of moving platform In my wonderment, I tripped onto what is called a conveyor belt, and before I could recover from the shock, I was propelled into a great, dark tunnel, the wind whispering through my hair, the darkness suffocating me. I clung to the rugged luggage beneath me, terrified. The floor dropped from beneath my knees, and I was suddenly being hurled to unknown depths. Tumbling in the chaos, a soft but overwhelming burst of air surrounded me, unfurling my clenched body and placing me gently onto awaiting surface below. I floated softly into something soft and welcoming. The sudden light blinded me and I had no idea where I was. After a couple of baffling moments, I struggled into a sitting position.

My jaw literally dropped.

The sky was the clearest hue of blue, picturesquely framed by mossy, deep green trees that cradled the sky in their gracefully draped branches. Hills danced and flowed upon the ground below, the wind carrying a scent of the most heavenly flowers across the land. Petals flitted and danced through the air, sidling resting at last beside the shore of the crystal clear stream. The cool water rushed beside me, teasing me with its twinkling rays of sun. Beneath me was a bed of flowers resting on luscious grass. As I reached up to run a hand though my hair, I was once again shocked to find that there was nothing else to pull back. My bangs had been tamed and softly smoothed out beneath a dainty tiara, and my long hair twisted into soft, shiny locks that cascaded down my shoulders. My hand slid through my suddenly silky smooth hair, trailing down my neck. My hand froze. I looked down in wonder; I had never before felt something so...so heavenly. Soft, feathery blue material slid daintily from where it gathered at my shoulders and fell all around me.

My mind gradually soaked in my surroundings. After a few minutes of intense concentration, I was finally able to formulate some coherent thoughts. That’s when I noticed a small hut downstream. It was hardly noticeable, considering its surroundings. I stumbled to my feet, struggling with the folds of material surrounding me. I chuckled to myself. Well, at least some things hadn’t changed. The entire world was turned upside down, but my clutziness seemed to have remained intact. Pushing those thoughts aside, I began the walk into the green valley below, hoping to uncover some secrets of this baffling place.

POT ROAST 5 TO 6 lb pot roast 2 large onions diced, 1 large green pepper diced 3 large sprigs of celery diced 2 cloves of garlic diced 3 large carrots, peeled and cut in big pieces 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut in big pieces 3 tbsp. cooking oil 3 can of Hunts tomatoes sauce (it may include garlic and spices) 3 Hunts cans of water once tomato sauce is removed salt pepper

Preparation: Place oil in large pot and heat a bit. Meanwhile rub roast with salt and pepper and place in pot. Brown on one side and then the other. Remove roast from pan when nicely browned and place diced onion, green pepper, celery, in pot. Cook on medium heat for a few minutes, then add garlic cloves and cook additional few minutes. Add tomato sauces and water and cook until well mixed. Add roast and be sure sauce covers roast. If not, add a little more water. Cook for at least three hours until tender when you pierce with a fork. Add carrots and potatoes last 1/2 hour. Slice when cool and reheat when needed. Sometimes you can add a can of mushrooms after draining water from it. Gives a nice flavor, too.



ORANGE CITRUS SALAD 1 head romaine lettuce cut up 1 can tangerines, liquid removed 1 red onion, diced 1/2 cup cranberries Dressing: 2 tsp red wine vinegar 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 tsp salt 6 tbsp. sugar

Preparation: Toss salad ingredients. In small bowl, whisk together orange juice and vinegar, gradually add oil, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk for at least a minute. Store the dressing in a plastic bowl until you are ready to toss the salad...



Crunchy Butterscotch Brownies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Pinch baking soda 8 ounces butter, room temperature 2 cups packed light brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 4 tablespoons milk 16 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate chunks 1 cup pecan pieces

Preparation: Grease and flour a 10x15x1-inch jelly roll pan or spray with a nonstick flour and oil baking spray. Heat oven to 350°. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In a large mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar; beat in eggs one at a time, beating until blended. Blend in vanilla. Add about half of the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture along with half of the milk. Stir in the remaining flour mixture and remaining milk until well blended. Fold in chocolate chunks and pecan pieces. The batter will be thick. Spread in prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Makes 5 to 6 dozen or more, depending on how you cut them.

When ever you looking for great recipes these are amazing to use. They don’t take such a long time to make but are great when you need a meal for lots of people. I hope you enjoy these recipes.

Sleep is a major issue with which Temima students, and in reality everyone who lives on this place called terra firma, relates. In fact even if one went on a trip to outer space, and left the comfort of earth, he would still have to deal with the mortal issue of sleeping. Here is a collection of musings about the topic of sleep, a topic that is near and dear to all hearts.

In Temima, sleep is a pastime that is most revered due to its scarcity. It is one rare diamond of the first waters. Sleep is our emotional and physical recharge. A time to shut down from all exertions and allow our minds and bodies a rest from the bustle of every day life. What would happen if there was no such thing as sleep? Would we have the intelligence to refortify ourselves in between the demanding stretch, namely life? Sleep allows us to perform our best on day to day dilemmas with which one comes into contact. Sleep is our soul’s time to recharge and to reconnect to its Source. It allows us to have renewed “spiritual charge”.

As we approach the upcoming performance, sleep, or lack thereof, becomes a prevalent issue that we deal with daily and nightly. A wise Rabbi, Rabbi Orlowick, says that one may abuse his body if, and only if, 95% of the time he respects and treats his body properly. Most Temimers, or humans, do not follow this wise rule. When rehearsals end at all hours of the night, and then the balance of the other aspects of life have to be dealt with: personal and school related the goal of getting to bed at a reasonable hour becomes even less attainable. Doctors say that the deepest sleep is acquired at around midnight. In order to utilize this most effectively, one should go to sleep two hours before the allotted time to gain the most of this rejuvenating sleep. But this is even more unlikely. So what should we do?

Ah, we have arrived at the crux of the issue. From now on, a new rule is in place. One will receive merit points according to the minutes of sleep that she can attain during school hours. She will receive more “credit” according to set conditions: the noise level in the room, whether or not they are supposed to be taking a test, or an even more ludicrous thought, if they have slept more than eight hours the previous night. This brings us to the issue of whether it is responsible to stay up late to take a part in activities. For instance half of the fun of high school is going to sleep late after nights of hard work and excitement. After all, you only go through high school once (hopefully)! An even more controversial statement is that on the other hand, you also only go through life once, and you are expected to live your entire life with one body. These both deal with the issue of life’s huge value. Do you live life fully by staying up and using every moment, or do you maximize life by being well rested? Is it wise to stay up late? If you are a parent or over the age of thirty you will probably say “No, it is not worth being cranky and not performing your best due to lack of sleep.” In addition you will probably start preaching about health issues. But if you are a narrow minded adolescent, you will most likely retort and give one hundred reasons why going to bed late is a most logical course of action.

I have come to the conclusion that there is no definitive answer. Sleep will remain one of those puzzles that a person can never conquer; everyday will present exciting new challenges which take a little more time than anticipated. But one can limit these occurrences by good planning and organization.

An encouragement to the sleep deprived, is that in about a week or so, she will not remember whether she had seven hours of glorious sleep or a mere five. If that advice does not alleviate her worries, she should realize that in a year, she definitely will not remember when it was that she adjourned to bed on that fateful night when she had three essays due the next day, play practice, and her brother’s Bar Mitzvah…..

In conclusion, simply enjoy life and all its aspects, just remember to make priorities. In this way, one will not regret after she chooses to stay up late. She will live with her decisions and will make the best of the results of her choices. You hear that, all you sleepy heads. It is partly your decision. Next time when you arrive home late from rehearsal, DO NOT PICK UP THAT BOOK!

Good night. Sleep tight.

*If there are any errors in this article they are the effect of irresponsible sleeping habits. ENJOY!