Zen on the Highway

I love being a mom!

2010-02-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

We have certainly had an interesting month! Both the good and the bad of it, and I am still thrilled to say, that I am happier than I have ever been- I love being a Mom!

A few weeks ago, it finally snowed in the North, so we took a trip up there with some close friends and their daughter, I was stoked to post pictures that would rival my Utah friends (and this month, my Va friends as well!). We got close :)

We have come to the conclusion that we should start posting pictures of Orian in all of the places that he has slept. He has seen more than most three month olds (tomorrow!!!), except, he hasnt actually seen them...the little bugger is fast asleep. He reminds me of the You Tube guy who does his little jig in different places all over the world and posts himself online. We have Orian sleeping, all over Israel.

A week and a half ago, we took Orian for an emergengy visit to the Dr.s office when I found blood in his stool, turns out the poor guy has been suffering from a lactose allergy, which is why he has been in so much pain since he was about 3 weeks old. I immediately stopped all intake of lactose products and I can finally say that he is doing great! Almost no pain...though he didnt gain any weight this month, but that is likely from the side effects of all of the lactose I put into his little body :( He is healthy and happy, though, so I am not worried. More than anything, I am thrilled that he is not in pain anymore!!! Such a trooper!

Other than that, Idan and I have been doing brilliantly! We are getting back to normal now and are very happy to have time to ourselved in the evenings because Orian has a pretty predictable schedule (he has since the day he was born, it was just interupted by pain and lactose allergy). Its great to have time to just cuddle on the couch and have time to be with each other. Now he is in reserves for a night, so I actually get some time to myself today. Its pretty weird not having to cook dinner and feel like I need to get things done, but I could get re-used to it! I decided that when I am ready, I will leave Orian with his Dad and Grandma and take a day at the Tiberias Hot Springs and splurge on a massage. Who knew that babies knot up your entire back!

So, I think I will go relax now. Enjoy the pictures!

2010-01-21T02:53:00.000-08:00

Our beautiful baby has arrived! Orian (Or-ee-yan) Yonatan Granot was born on November 24, 2009. Weighing in at 3.2 Kilos, 6.9 ish Lbs, and healthy as a...healthy person. He was and is a beautiful baby and from day one was lifting his head and looking around.

We are VERY lucky to have been in the hands of such a wonderful and experienced medical team as everything that could go wrong with the birth process, did. I spent Two weeks in progressing contractions...as he became two weeks overdue, but I wasnt dilating above half a centimenter. Finally at 42 weeks, we checked into the hospital, where they gave me my first induction. Nada. The next day I received a second induction and spent the day in some pretty painful contractions (though I am sure it doesn't come close to what most women go through). Still no dilation above half a cent. Then, they found a problem in his monitor and sent us down to the birthing room for constant observation. Turns out his heat rate was becoming semi-erratic, going from normal (120-160) down to 50-80, then right back up again. Though it happened a few times throughout the night, they sent me back up to the waiting rooms at 3:30 AM.

The next day, they put me on Oxy toxin (I think that is what its called) to really jump start the labour, which was progressing to...nowhere. I was confined to the bed and IV for about five hours and beginning to get frustrated with the whole thing. I was in pain and again checked for dilation and YES, Progress! I almost hit one centimeter, as any mother can imagine, I began to tear up, why wasn't I dilating??!!

Finally, at 5 PM, I really, really had to pee, so I broke down, swallowed my pride, kicked Idan out of the room, and used the bedpan. Just as I finished, the Dr. rushed into the room, took one look at his heart rate and said, that's it, your going for emergency surgery. I tried to explain to her that I had just peed, and it must have been the reason that the monitor jumped, but she said she didn't care, and had the nurses prep me immediately. Idan who had just left the room got a call from me telling him that he really needed to get back in here as Im going into surgery, managed to make it back just in time for getting in the elevator to go down to the surgery floor.

I, throughout this process, continued to calmy insist that I had just peed, that was it, and there was no need for the panic that the Medical staff was experiencing. I also explained to them that they need to be calm so that I could stay calm. It was oddly surreal. In order for me to stay calm, I just made sure to take slow deep breaths.

We got down to surgery and Idan had to wait outside, poor guy was scared and clueless, with no explanation of what was happening. The second Dr. (who we know and lives on our Kibbutz) rushed past Idan with a simple, I'll update you.

I, on the other hand, while being prepped for surgery, was still insiting that I just had to pee and still calm, watched everybody rushing and stressing to get me under. Then I was told Laila Tov, Good night, and I went under.

Waking up was the most painful experience I and ever gone through and was crying immediately until they morphined me, I was then in la-la land for the next 2 hours or so, constantly being reminded to breathe, by the machine that beeps when my heart rate goes down too low...All I wanted to do was see the baby, but they said I had to wait a few hours. That was the only thing that kept me from asking for another dose of pain relief, I had to see our baby! So I spent two hours high and literally watching the minutes tick by on the two clocks the wall.

My mother in Law, bless her, heard about the surgery and took the next ride she could get to the hospital, where she came in to me and held my hand and spoke to me for a few precious minutes while I waited to see baby. I also got to see Idan for a minute and he seemed so calm.

Finally, they let me go up to my room, and to meet our baby!When I got up there, Idan brought the baby in, and nothing could have prepared me for the surge of emotion that came with watching the baby being brought to me...I burst into tears , having experienced true love at first sight. Orian was absolutely gorgeous! Holding him was the most natural experience in the world, and so well worth the wait, and the 2 and a half week labour!

Idan told me that the Dr.s had informed him that if they had waited five more minutes, Orian would not have survived. He had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, which I guess was what caused the lowered heart rates. As for me, it seems that I can only give birth vis C-section, so at least we know now, and will be better prepared for the next child. AND we can have it born on time :) He also said that I was the calm one in the operating room :)

Idan was above and beyond everything I could have ever expected throughout the entire period.He took care of me every step of the way, and was always running to work, home, the hospital day in and day out for the entire week we were there! He brought me overpriced Chai Lattes everyday, because he knew how muh I craved them; He took the punches from wherever they came so that I wouldnt have to deal with petty issues, he kept everything going smoothly for me, and he did it with a smile on his face (even though it was clear that he was more exhausted than I). I am the luckiest woman alive to have a man like him!

From day one, Idan was picking Orian up (though maybe not by choice in the beginning- I couldnt pick him up because of the Cesarean), and he has been such an amazing father from the beginning. Just the other night, he gave Orian his first bath, and didnt even tell me, he just figured it out on his own and went with it! What a wonderful man! And boy, can he make the child smile!

So now, Orian is eight weeks old and gaining approximately half a pound a week. I have finally found pure happiness and contentment. I have never been content in my life, always working towards greater goals and pushing to make things better in the world, but now...wow.

At five weeks he had a really goofy smile...at eight weeks, he's just goofy! (He's still trying to figure out the notion of "Say cheeze!)

Grandma and Grandpa came to Israel to meet Orian for the first time-- So much fun to have them here!

Its getting close!

2009-10-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

We are getting really close to due date, so in answering demands for pregnancy pics, I am uploading what I hope are the last ones before baby is born! If you look closely, you may be able to notice that baby has dropped, and things are becoming pretty real now...and I am becoming a waddling duck!

Now that I am back from the President's Conference in Jerusalem, I am ready for him to join us in the ouside world :) I am also very thankful that he let me have those three days to enjoy meeting so many amazing people and being part of such an impactful event on Israel and the world...Plus, I got to see a guy prostrating himself before Dr. Ruth...yes, THE Dr. Ruth, sex therapist, definitely a highlight :) (seeing the cute boss fro Ugly Betty was alo pretty fun) Idan made fun of me that with all of the important politicians and nobel prize winners, these are the people that excite me, but, I guess I am just used to the politicians, and pretty bored by seeing them all the time. Now that I think about it...thats a bad sign :) But the Ugly Betty guy was so cute, and I love Dr. Ruth!!!

So, here are some pics...I hope next time we post, it will be to show you our beautiful baby!

2009-09-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

We had a great short hike today, which nearly beat me...for the first time in my life, I almost thought that I might not make it to the top. But I did, huffing and puffing and Idan barely started to breathe heavily.

I have wanted to walk (or in my non-pregnant days, to run) up this hill for years...it has always called to me; so today, as Idan and I were on our way to some prehistoric caves, I offered to him to walk up the hill with me and skip the caves. I was pretty sure that he wouldn't take the bait, as he keeps remndng me that I am one foot out the door of the hospital and he thinks I am taking ths pregnancy thing too lightly (we were actually right in the middle of that exact discussion). But then, all of a sudden, he pulled the car over at the hill. The bastard called my bluff!

Of course, as stubborn as I am, there was no way that I intended to pass up this opportunity! So up we went, Idan practically skipping his way up and me huffing and puffing with frequent breaks, wondering why I had to get myself into this one...

Once we got to the top, I couldn't even stand anymore and just plopped down right where I was. But what a great feeling! finally did something that I had wanted to do for five years, and it was well worth it!

The hike lasted less than 15 minutes each way and within a half hour, we were back in the car and on our way home. Idan got what he wanted, I got what I wanted, and we go a couple of heifer shots along the way. How fun!

So for all of your viewing pleasure...Safra the heifer, Eight and a half months...I don't promise

beauty, but at least you get a tummy!

2009-08-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

I promised some pictures when Idan back from reserves, and hallelujah, Idan is back from reserves! I am so happy to finally have him back...

The view from Idan's base...beautiful!

Today we went a a tiyul (outing) to a park in Haifa with Moran, Miki, Gabi (Idans dad) and the kids. The park had a few suspension bridges and it was pretty fun. It was a short walk, but I was pretty exhausted by the end and Idan is not having an easy time learning how to walk really, really slowly so that I can keep up. I told him that today it was great that we had to walk as slowly as the two year old, so that it wasn't me holding us back half of the time :)

After that Idan and I went to lunch at an Arabic restaurant. The food was great and I am still stuffed from the salads, hummus and lamb, and pita...oh, I love thayt food!

So anyways, here are the pictures...

There's nothing hotter than white trash and a beer belly! (Beginning of 6th month)

Seven and a half months and feeling more and more like a heifer...

The view fom one of the bridges and Idan practicing parenting...

2009-08-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

Summer is way, way too hot during pregnancy. I didn't believe my mother in law when she told me tht I would not enjoy the summer months. I thought to myself, I've never had a problem during the summer, so what if I get a bit hotter than normal.

Noooooo...this summer, I have gotten heat stroke 3 times, all on my way back from Jerusalem and spent the first months of summer lying on the couch, with 2 ice packs and the a/c, that didn't really work, on top speed.

Now we have moved to a new home back up North on the kibbutz that I swore I would never, ever go back to, and we have a great AC. I am happy. At least now when I get hit with heat stroke, I can get the frigid AC upon arrival home.

It has been really nice back here on kibbutz and I guess you could say that three times a charm. I am still having a bt of a time dealing with all of the when are you do, belly patting and congratulations (I don't take too well to this kind of attention...put me on a stage anywhere and I will come out on top, but this personal attention, not my thing..I guess I hide behind causes...). But more or less, people have left me alone, which I really need right right now. And having Idan's family around hass been suc a blessing (who would've thought?) My mother in law and I have really bonded over the past month and I really look forward to a good relationship with her!

Idan has been in reserves for the past 3 weeks, but Ive had him home for about a week of that, so it hasn't been too bad. If anything, we have both really enjoyed this time apart. I had time to work and settle the house, Idan had a break from prego, nagging Safra. A win-win situation. Now one more week and he will be back in reality, needng to find work and back to surviving mode.

I dont know why we ever came up with economics and finances...what a waste of life trying to make it from month to month, only to try to get more and more and then acheive "financial security", which in itself is an oxymoron, as any newly poor rich man would attest to. But we do, so Idan needs to find a job, and I need to keep working.

Luckily, I have the absolute best work in the world for me right now, so at least I get to live out the brilliant quote "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do".

My belly is really bulging, and bigfoot kicks like crazy. The doc was shocked when he saw baby's foot and wanted to make sure it was a boy, cuz "That is one big foot!" :). I can't really hide it any more, as I managed to fo the first 6 months, my cover up shirts now bulge out and show some sexy underbelly...oh well. I do love putting my hands on my tummy and connecting with bigfoot, though. It makes me really happy knowing he's swimming around in there.

I really want to upload some pics, but Idan left that camera in the reserves, so it will have to wait another week. Just imagine a blonde cow...

OK, so thats the news from lake Wobegon, not to exciting, but my life, and really nice...

Time to Share the Excitement

2009-06-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

I have been putting this off for long enough, and I have run out of excuses why not to do this...I am also completely jetlagged and bored at one thirty in the morning, so we are pleased to announce to the world, that we have a little baby boy on the way!

We are just beginning our 18th week, he has passed all of his tests with flying colors and has even flown to the States in my belly, for his great Grandmother's funeral and survived a severe virus that Mommy caught. I am finally at a place where I think that everything will be alright!

Personally, I have relished in being pregnant. The exhaustion, nausea and headaches of the first trimester let me know on a minute to minute basis that baby is alive and well, and there is no better feeling than knowing that! Idan has been such a strong support, always there for me, learning patience overnight (I used to be really laid back and easy to deal with...then comes baby) and offering to help in anything, whether cooking (all the time), cleaning (his most hated chore in the whole wide world) or getting whatever it is that I am craving at the moment. I am so lucky to have him!

Now that we are mid second trimester, I am completely content. I love watching my belly grow and feel so sexy all the time! It was well worth the first three months for this!

I think it also came at the perfect time, as my Grandmother just passed away, but we were able to share the news with her and give her the pleasure of knowing that she has a great Grandchild.

So, seeing as my computer has gotten a mind of its own and wont let me add punctuation at the right places, below I have added a few pics that my Mother took at 16 weeks:

Trip to the Dead Sea

2009-04-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

To both of our amazement, we were actually pretty busy over Pesach and had a lot of fun! The Seder was still a bummer for me, ending in record time of about half an hour, but the rest of the Chag was really fun.

We visited a few old friends that we hadn't seen in a while, one in Ashdod near Gaza, who is a friend of Idan's way back from his army days. We also met up with our old neighbors, who had just moved into a house that we had considered a few months back...it is the weirdest thing with us, we are always interested in the same homes! They almost took the one we live in now, we almost took the one they just moved into, we both wanted the same house two years ago (before we met--the owner was obnoxious and the deal fell through) and we were next dor neighbors in the same apartment/house that we just moved out of...I wonder if the universe is telling us something?

Last week we went to the Dead Sea area for hiking and camping. The hiking lasted all of one short hike (mabye a kilometer each way) up to Mt. Sodom. We had intended to visit the Flour Caves, but just our luck, it was closed due to a collapse!

So we did the hike and Kiri, our oldest dog, spent the entire way down walking rrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyy slowly and limping a bit, so we used the excuse not to hike anymore (well more I went along with Idan for the benefit of the dog, but still...)

It was a beautiful hike, as all hikes are, but there is something special about the desert. Plus, the last time I was there, I had gotten in trouble for something and was not allowed to join my classmates on the hike, so I made up for a missed opportunity...

In the background of the photo, you can see the Dead Sea. Idan and I both gasped with disbelief at how much of the Dead Sea was gone due to over harvesting...ever since I remember, there were actually 2 Deas Seas (separated in the pasy few decades due to man's rediculous notion of money being more important that the Earth that sustains us), but this time, it was really scary. The gap between the seas was huge!

After the hike we drove down to Maktesh Katan (the Little Crater, or as the sign says, the little Maktesh :) where we decided not to camp.

So, we drove back up to the Dead Sea, stopped to check out what happens when one doesn't heed God's warnings...see if you can guess who this is...

...and found the PERFECT spot to camp. I spent the first hour a bit freaked that it would flood right where we were, as two rivers convereged there when it rains, but the forecast only called for rain the next morning, so I chilled and enjoyed the beauty!

We built a lovely fire (more Idan built and I enjoyed the warmth)

...and Mica spent the night on guard for bad guys, who might dare to attack.

I doubt anyone would be that stupid with a dog like Mica guarding us.

Kiri, on the other hand, was out like shout...she barely moved the rest of the trip. Someones's getting old!

The next morning we watched the sun rise over Jordan...

Then hauled it before the rains came and flash floods hit...

Overall, we had a lot of fun, didn't get eaten by any scorpions, and agreed that we have to do this more often!

So, we had a really fun Pesach break, and now, it is taking all of my willpower to get back on schedule and work...Thank goodness I love my job, or this would be impossible! Se la vie...

2009-04-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

So, a quick update on life...Pretty great, personally that is. We are both doing really well, a few weeks ago we went to a lovely cabin up North for the weekend and next weeks we will go to the desert for some hiking and camping and a stop at the Dead Sea on the way home, so we have been doing some fun stuff lately.

Tonight is the first night of Pesach, my favorite holiday on the Jewish calendar, and one of the times when I get most homesick for the real Seders that we used to have at home. Here they run through it to get to dinner, always a shame for me. Amy, we will have to do this next time we see each other, and even though it may not be on Pesach, it will be just as fun and spiritual as we will do it right!

Things have been interesting here in Israel. Due to overwhelming anti-Israel sentiments and anti-Semitism in the world, especially during our last war, as well having to deal with non-stop terrorism (for which we are always the bad guys, I really dont get it) the Israeli population voted right wing for these elections. Now our Prime Minister is a rat that we had about 10 years ago and failed miserably, our Foreign Minister is a fascist...no joke, Idan and I also call him a ben zonah (son of a @#$%^). He strongly believes in transferring the Arabs out of Israel and is just an absloutely evil man (just look in his eyes).

Anyhoo, out of this mess came yet another sign of Israeli resilience, which I will share with you now. Here, we laugh at our problems, sometimes going a bit overboard, but I guess its a defense mechanism...below is the link to a hilarious song that one of our comedy shows wrote to the rest of the world about getting attacked by rockets ans the non-stop targetting of Israeli citizens by the terrorists. I have translated whatever is in Hebrew, and hope you are able to see the humor in this as we do. Idan and I have watched this numerous times, always cracking up from it, so enjoy. As a sarcastic song, they pretend to have terrible English and play on every stereotype out there, so don't take too much offense, cuz we are all bashed in it :)

It's called "someone throws on you Til" by Xplain (rocket): http://www.mako.co.il/tv-erez-nehederet/fd82c9a2478a8110/Article-f85dd0df440de11004.htm

I wake up in the morning and suddenly fall on me TIL (Rocket)
How would you feel if someone throws on you TIL (Rocket)
This is not what we built the Jewish State for לא בשביל זה בנינו בית יהודי

The children theysit in M.M.D (Bomb shelters)
We cant go to MAKOLET (local grocer), we cant go to school
But you don't understand because you live LACHEM BECHUL (outside the country)

How would you feel if in Paris they throw on you TIL (Rocket)
You ask for croissant but instead they throw on you TIL (Rocket)

Our army is the most moral in the world, at least in the five most moral of all (armies), we can close on the the most moral in the region...הכי מוסרי בעולםאו לפחות בין החמישה המוסריים מכולםטוב אולי אפשר לסגורעל הכי מוסרי באזור

They throw on us TILIM (Rockets),
we come with METOSIM (Airplanes)
But remember who started shooting on EZRACHIM (Citizens)

How do you feel if in London they shoot on EZRACHIM (Citizens)
You want LASHUT (to sail) in the TEMZA (Thames river) but instead they shoot on EZRACHIM (Citizens)

If you ask why we fight,we say:They started
If you ask why we bomb we say:They started
If you ask what we want we say.....(basically uhhhhhh...)

It's so hard when there is TZEVA ADOM (the color RED, ie, sirens for an incoming rocket attack)We have to house citizens from the South (in the North)לארח תושבות מהדרום
They walk naked in the house, they are so MISKENOT (unfortunate- here it is specifically relating to girls- and at that, pretty women)
Because a Grud missile fell on their clothing closet גראד פגע להן בחדר ארונות

You support us or we take Benayun from Liverpool (A major Israeli soccer player in England)
And we tell Noa Tishbi to take back BETIPUL (the Israeli created tv show, In Treatment)
We take Bar Refaeli, נשאיר את ליאו בלי כלוםand we'll leave Leo with nothing
Lets see him dating with Um Kultum (a famous female Muslim singer)
How do you feel if Leo was dating Um Kultum
And in "Sports Illustrated" instead of Bar there's Um Kultum (in Hijab)

Look on us
Look on them
Who looks more like YOU? מי יותר דומה לכם
We have McDonalds
Soon H&M
They haven't even gotten Suduch yet (some Iraqi food- A play on the War in Iraq)

If your not for us, there will be no choice,
We will remind you what it was like in the Cold War Europe
"Fire Brothers, Fire (the DJ in the background)"שריפה אחים שריפה
I think the point is clear...

Now you know how it feels if someone throws on you TIL (rocket)

I hope they know how it feels if someone throws on you TIL (rocket)

Support us, Hate them!X-Plain!

2009-03-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that I have let my beloved blog go for so long. It doesn't surprise me, but I was really hoping that for once, I would stay on the straight and narrow...then I quit my job and got lazy, then I flew to the States and had an excuse, then I got a new job and wouldn't let myself write until I finished my work (like that would ever happen)...and now I say, this is rediculous, I need to get caught up!

So heres the overall. I quit my job, spent about 2 weeks very happy, then freaked (to myself and Idan) that I wouldn't find a job...then finally got accepted to my #1 career choice, directing an international network called koldor (www.koldor.org). I immediately flew to the States for an uber quick visit to my family in VA and Wisconsin. I had an amazing time and for the first time ever, gave my grandparents a present that they really, really loved (a hand carved olivewood manger)...I have brought them stuff from Israel before, but this one...WOW, right on! I am so happy to have been able to make them as happy as they are about it! It was well worth the trip to Jerusalem to find it!

My time in the States was wonderful, Mom has become an amazing belly dancer and artist and it is wonderful to see her blossom. Amira and I are exactly where we need to be in life. Sisters. God I love it! And Abba, I don't know how he does what he does, but he has all of my respect!

We had an awesome snowstorm that kept us in Wisconsin an extra day, so I had my snow experience. And, for work, I had to take a day trip to NY, so I got to feel like an executive for the first time in my life! How cool!

Coming back to Israel, I began my new position as Executive Director of KolDor (Yes, I am proud, and I deserve it after working so hard for so long), I realized that I have a whole lot of proving I had to do to fit in to the position. I needed to make the unnatural seem natural, to be comfortable in all situations, and show that it doesn't matter how famous one is, they don't intimidate me. I didn't always pass the test, but I did a'ight, and my biggest superheoes are now ecoming my colleagues (yeah, its pretty friggin crazy...I am working with my living superheroes, literally). What is important now, is the obvious, I have everything handed to me on a platter, I CANNOT MESS THIS ONE UP. I have been offered the opportunity of a lifetime, literally on a silver platter...the issue, global economy...not so good. If I can keep us alive for the next year, all will be good, and I am more of less set for a career for the coming decade. If not...then...well, I just need to believe in myself, cuz, no one will want to hire me after that...this is pretty make it or break it!

Anywho, I have been loving work, so far I have voted in the WJC World Jewish Congress, the highest honor I could have ever asked for, ever(think voting in the UN, but for me, better), I have been to the Jewish Agengy Board of Governors, and I may well be in Switzerland for Durban II, though I hope not. It amazes me that it is a part of my job to be a part of every one of the issues that are facing the Jewish people today, I din't think it is fair, cuz it is a lot on my shoulders, but on the other hand, FINALLY, I HAVE THE JEWISH WORLD ON MY SHOULDERS!!! If you are not in the J world, you may not understand, nor do I expect you to care. Just know, that I am 100% on the right path. I wanted to save the world, and I will. It may be my world, the Jewish world, but danged if I dont save it! As I have said enough times, I may not be able to save 7 billion, but 18 milllion is a great start!

Other than work, we moved to a new home, 3 rooms, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, office, living room and huge yard for the dogs...we have all I could have asked for....especially an olive tree! We are uber happy in the new home and I will put up pics as soon we get batteries for the camera...plus pics of a short haired Safra (I did promise you Noelle).

So, I owe all of you pics. I have also not said a word about the global anti-Semitism that has broken out throughout the world. It is so easy to ignore (and I know Amy says that it happens to Mormons too... but my love, when it becomes State policy, come back to me....VENEZUELA). I will vent on this another time.

In the meanwhile, we are all very lucky, and hopefully very happy! I wish us all the best and may we always remember, money is paper, our lives, priceless...

Rock the Vote!

2008-11-03T00:16:00.001-08:00

Elections are coming up in a few days in the US. For better or for worse, Israel or more specifically, I, am going to have to suffer the consequences of the vote. Although I am sure that either of the candidates are going to be excellent for Israel, I just wanted to put in my two sense about the past 8 years and my hope for the future.

Bush's foreign policy has affected Israel like a wolf wrapped in sheep's clothing. On the outside, it looks really good, but scratch below the layers and you will find mold and maggots. Just to short list a few examples:

The US directly led to the rise of Iran as a superpower in the Middle East by taking out her two arch rivals, Iraq and Afghanistan, causing what may be an existential threat to Israel if and when Iran gains nukes.
The US attitude towards Iran (bullying and aggressive coercion) is only making Iran more stubborn, thereby raising the stakes against the US' closest ally in the Middle East, little Israel. (for the above two points, I wrote an excellent paper on the matter which I would be happy to share with anyone interested and can also point you out to some interesting articles and essays written by others).
Israel lost the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Remember? The one where I was given the honor of seeing and listening to rockets fall day in and day out and my husband got drafted along with all of the other reserves? We lost the war because the Bush administration told us how we could start the war (aerial attacks, "clean and swift" – didn't work by the way), and told us when they wouldn’t allow us to go any further (Litani river if I remember correctly, and as the Hizbullah are not stupid, many of their weapons caches and start points for firing the missiles were above the river) Yes, I agree, it is stupid that we have to do almost everything the US tells us to, but frankly, we don't have a choice as the US gives us a lot of aid and weapons sales, without which, we would probably no longer be on the map).
Bush's foreign policies, and the consequent dislike of the US by the Global North public opinion for its "cowboy" like behavior (not my words), or in other worlds, unilateral actions and disregard for the opinions of other states and the UN, has caused greater dislike for Israel in international public opinion as well. Unfortunately, when it comes down to it, leads to policies in other countries that are not in the best interest of Israel (unfortunately for Israel, in a democracy, public opinion does count as the politician must, at the end of the day, answer to his own constituency in order to stay in power).

Enough examples. I can't say I am totally thrilled with either of the candidates, but after having listened to a few of the candidates speeches and debates and going over their bio's, there is no doubt in my mind, that if McCain won, then Israel is in a lot of trouble. He's got experience and understands foreign policy, but like his predecessor in the White House, he is a cowboy and that will not bode well internationally.

The entire Global North is watching the US elections closely and hoping that this time they will not make another mistake (I read something really interesting where random people in random countries all over the world were asked who they would vote for, if given the opportunity, and the answer was overwhelmingly Democrat, I say overwhelming, as I am not sure 100% if not one person chose Republican. Of course, as with now, for those in the US and Israel who don't understand the policies and their implications deeply enough, all looks well on the Republican front, but just scratch beneath the surface, and you will find mold and maggots.

For my future, I ask you to seriously consider your vote tomorrow. But either way, go out and vote, make your voice heard.

Freedom and Pride

2008-11-02T06:40:00.001-08:00

Ive been ultra busy over the past month, and didn't even get a chance to enjoy the three weeks of on and off vacation of Sukkot, Yom Kippur and New Years. Between school and being called in from my work (on a whim by my boss deciding that he is g-d and vacation is over when he says it is), there was no vacation time for me.

The big news going on with me right now is that I quit my job in the think tank. Some could say I was weak, but I don’t really care, when I realized that my boss was getting to me physically because I wouldn’t let him get to me mentally, I realized my time had come. So now I am unemployed, happy and healthy :)

I have a world of opportunity available to me. What to do…what to do…

I had a really great revelation moment today, when the person who was hired to direct Hillel in my stead (started his first day today) was overwhelmed with people interested in being involved with Hillel this year at the stand that we put up every year on the first day of school. We did that! I left a legacy that I actually saw with my own eyes!

Last year, we fought just to get people to sign onto our mailing list, but today, people were flocking to sign up…they actually searched out the Hillel stand! Word of mouth spreads like wild fire. For the first time since I left the director position, I felt satisfied that all of my hard work would not be in vein.

And let me have this egotistical moment…

DAMN IM PROUD!

We achieved what we set out to do, and even though Im not there, no paper house was blown away. We created a viable, dynamic, living organization…I am happy.

Now, I think the time has come for me to find something from which I can make a career. I'm sick of floating, its time to find myself.
In the meanwhile though, Ill finish papers, and have loads of fun getting to re-member myself

Whodda thought?

2008-10-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

As a child, people would ask me what I wanted to do when I grow up. My answer was always the same, "I'm going to save the world". The response was also always the same idea, "Good for you", "How mature of you", "Such a noble cause", "I'm so proud of you".

Then, around the age of 17, the responses began to change. They went from being proud to giving me the "You'll grow out of it", "You can't make a difference in the world" and they're faces would give off the 'she's delusional' attitude.

I didn't care what they thought; I knew that I was going to save the world. Then one day in college, I read a quote, which I couldn't tell you if my life depended on it but generally stated that it wasn't the grand ambitions of saving the whole world that made a difference, but the small actions of helping the world around you (i.e. ripple makes a wave). I took that statement to heart.

My goal never changed. I want to make this world a better place, and I am willing to dedicate my life to this cause. What did change was my way of achieving my goal. I know that I can't get rid of nukes, stop global warming, end starvation, terrorism, hate, etc, single handedly. What I do know is that I can help to make the world around me, my little world, a better place. I also know that my actions, in effect, will make a difference in ways that I will probably never know, nor do I really care to.

I have spent my entire life trying to help in any way possible, whether with a single person, school, city state, or country. To some of my actions I have seen the fruit, to others, I haven't (not to say there wasn't, I just didn't see it). If I had listened to the overt and underlying messages of just about every person I spoke with, if I had taken them seriously, I don't know what the world I live in would be like today. What I do know is that I would be a lot less happy…and a lot more like the way that society attempted to mold me.

I'm not saying fight the power, I'm saying believe in yourself, not what others tell you that you are and should be. If not, you will never be satisfied and the world would have a very hard time being a better place (It can't do it alone, you know…).

That feeling

2008-10-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

I love that feeling when all of a sudden, everything is not only ok, it's great! It is a feeling that is as if a light really is shining down on you from heaven, happiness overwhelms every pore in the body. This feeling makes you want to sing, yell, laugh and cry from true joy. It is my favorite feeling in the world.

At that moment when the understanding possesses me, that I am in complete control of my life, and I look at all of my problems, own them, then show myself how to get over them; that is when this feeling often hits me.

Many people never experienced this feeling before, or at least not in their adult lives. You are probably thinking that I am crazy to, out of the blue, experience absolute joy and happiness. Well, maybe I am a little bit crazy. Along with my bit of craziness, though, is my knowledge that I create my own reality, and therefore take full responsibility for issues both good and bad in my life. When I own up to the fact that I am in charge of me, life becomes fun, not just something that we are trying to wade through until we die.

To many times I have heard people using the excuse, "I can't do this", but that's not what they really mean, what stands behind that sentence is, "I won't do this". It's too bad. When one realizes that they create their own reality, the word can't completely disappears from their vocabulary…that word, can't, no longer makes any sense whatsoever.

I recommend to everyone that you get yourself this natural euphoric feeling, and take control of your destiny…It's a lot more fun than the difficult lives that most people lead…

My GOD our GOD

2008-10-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

So I'm having a problem.

I love my religion, and I don’t blame religion for this, but at the same time, it has caused me a huge crisis regarding my beliefs.

It is coming upon Sukkot, and for the first time since coming to Israel, I have an excellent opportunity to build a Sukkah and celebrate the Mitzvah (literally: Commandment) of the holiday.

I was stoked, I finally had the opportunity to make the best of this holiday, and I met a friend of mine at the ACE hardware store (yes, the same one as in the States) in order to buy the necessary supplies to build our Sukkah. We went to the lumber section to find the necessary products, and were kindly informed by the salesman that it will cost me about 100 dollars, MINIMUM, just to get the skeleton of the Sukkah paid for. I started to get upset, realizing that in this country, as in the US with Christmas and Easter and Valentines Day, nothing comes for free. I just couldn’t afford it.

I did the sad math, and started to get really depressed. My friend asked me to "entertain him" and go to check the price of a pre-made Sukkah. After a bit, I agreed, and the short price check that we did with them came up to the minimal price of 790 Shekels, about 250 Dollars.

In this country, 250$ is a whole lotta money. I mean A WHOLE LOTTA MONEY. What right does anyone have making me pay so much just to actualize a commandment?

So a miracle did happen, a lot later; and I found wood boards that I could get for free, as trash from the Ikea parking lot. But for me it was only a half miracle cuz I was so mad at the thievery of people just being kind enough to allow me to be to be able to express my love for Judaism.

Then I spoke to Idan, my wonderful husband, off in the military for reserve duty, and normally the last person I would expect to want me to appreciate my spirituality. He explained to me that religion is so much deeper than a couple of idiots who try to make money off religion. I tried to stay angry, as I seriously considered not fasting the one time of the year that I do (Yom Kippur- Day of Atonenment; but he's right. People don’t make religion. GOD makes religion, and it doesn’t matter what the religion is, it is way above us simple human beings to decide what GOD wants.

I'm not perfect. I never will be, but I care, and I know that that is what GOD cares about.

In Judaism we have something called KAVANAH, or meaning,. No person can tell me what I mean. GOD knows what I mean and that is what is important. So all those money makers out there can just suck on a rotten egg, cuz they forgot the real meaning of GOD and religion and KAVANAH.

God, whatever you may be, you know my KAVANAH, and if that’s not good enough, then, there is no point in me being here in the first place.

I want to be a good Jew, but more importantly, I want to be a good person, and if some stupid religion says that my intentions are wrong, well, they will just have to take it up with God, cuz I have a really big feeling that God is so much more that me buying a 1000 Shekel Sukkah, or accepting Jesus, or that Muhammad as what is right.

God is so much better than that, and God (You) only knows how hard it is to love him for who he really is…and I don’t know who you really are, but I do know that its more than a Sukkah or a baptism or a pretentious love. GOD is God, and we are all silly for not getting it.

So God, I have done the best I could to be a decent person this year. If I have not been good, then judge me. Just remember, that I care, and every day of my life, I try to make myself a better person. I don’t care what people think of me, I do
know that I have tried.

If I have done a bad job, I accept it, but if not, then I only ask that you help me to make the best of the lives of everyone I know and to make them experience the positive and loving life that everyone deserves.

Life is wonderful. May we always understand that.

Amen.

Saf

Our latest reality

2008-09-22T21:50:00.001-07:00

Just when you thought terrorism hit its scariest point, the strangers among us come out to play. We have been struck with a new reality, in my opinion even scarier than our previous one.

Since 1995, we have been plagued with regular bombings and more so with suicide bombings, AKA terrorism. Although we have had periods of more terrorism and periods of less terrorism, terrorism itself is always a reality in this country.

But now, terror had changed its form. Anything can be turned into a weapon, anyone can be a terrorist. This new trend is scary. In the past three months, we have been attacked by lone terrorists…to our knowledge not belonging to any specific terror organization, and taking orders from no one but themselves.

Two of the attacks were by ordinary workers, driving tractors. I don’t remember the number of deaths in the attacks, but how can I forget the huge tractor using its lift to turn a bus on its side, run over anything or anybody in its path, or the single baby, who was thrown from the car, just as the tractor crushed the entire vehicle and orphaned the baby?

And now, a man, driving a Mercedes Benz, saw a group of soldiers, smiled at them, and stepped on the gas. At least this time the only death was the terrorist himself. Fourteen soldiers were hospitalized.

This is a scary reality. At least with suicide terrorism, we knew to expect bombings on public transportation and in crowded areas (more or less), so we could rationalize ways to avoid these areas if we wanted. But this, this is different. This is scary. We can never know when the next person will just snap and go on a murderous rampage. Luckily for the rest of the country, so far all of the attacks have been in Jerusalem, by Palestinian Israelis from East Jerusalem.

There is no doubt in my mind that this trend is not going to stick to Jerusalem alone. We have Palestinian Israelis living all over the country. Just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean Tel Aviv and Haifa are safe. Now ordinary people are picking up on the fact that they too can do extraordinary things…anybody can kill the Zionists these days, all they need is a weapon that will do the proper damage before they themselves get killed in defense.

Did I mention that we are celebrating today 30 years of a cold peace with Egypt? The festivities just keep on rockin’.

Home is (definitely) where the heart is

2008-09-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

I would like to share my "awakening" for the day. As you all know, sometimes I get really annoyed with this country. Of course I love it, but who of you hasn't heard of my impatience with the corruption of the politicians or the drivers that I swear got into their cars that day in order to run a person over (we are number two in the world for killing pedestrians with cars) or the fact that I have to fight…just to keep my place in line…

Anyways, as I was driving home from a very long day at work, I started enjoying the miracle of a bright African orange sun setting against the beautiful greenery of the orchards, and a song came on the radio. This song was taken from a Hebrew prayer:

עושה שלום במרומיו
הוא יעשה שלום עלינו
ועל כל ישראל
ואימרו אמן

I cant exactly translate, but something along the lines of:

Make a high peace (ie for Him)
He will make peace upon us
And on all of Israel
And We say Amen

As the song came on, with the glorious sunset in the background, I started feeling the feelings that had overcome me for so many years. I'm home, this is my home, and these are my people. Then came the killer, right there in front of me was a bunch of Israel flags softly waving in the air. I teared up, and for a split second, forgot about the corruption, drivers, lines, hate, terror.

I thought of only one thing. I am home, this is where I belong.

Then I realized, that clearness…that is the sane Safra talking. I always know that this is the only State where Jews will always be welcome (I hope, Abba), and I always remember that I am home, but I get jaded sometimes…people are just so silly, but I am home, and there is not better feeling in the world, than to remember that. I am home.

My amazing husband!

2008-09-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

I am a proud wife! My husband has reminded me of yet another reason why I love him so much, and I would like to share it with you.

Last week, Idan called me and told me that there was a domesticated rabbit living at the house that his company was working on, which the previous owners had left behind, and the new owners didn’t want. The new owners told him that he could catch it and take it.

Of course, we have absolutely no need for another animal in the house, and if anything, could do with one or two less. Nonetheless, he decided to try to catch it and bring it home. On Thursday, he couldn’t, so we returned on Friday, but I guess the owners were having a pool party (What right does anyone in Israel have to own an individual pool when we are already below the black line and the pump levels in the Sea of Galilee??!! But that’s a whole other rant, and coming from the hypocrite who enjoyed one of her rich friend’s pool a few months ago, but still...)

So, come Sunday, and I decided not to bring it up. Later in the morning he told me I had something to play with when I came home…my mind immediately jumped to…other things, and after a few minutes of messing with me, he told me that he managed to catch the rabbit. Imagine two grown men chasing a little thumper all around a yard. It makes me laugh.

And I got the pleasure of coming home yesterday to a new, though hopefully not permanent, member of our little happy family. I am the proud wife of a softie, who will not let an animal in distress suffer alone. I am so lucky! AND, now I can use it against him when I bring home the random crows, pigeons or critters…

So, I am really proud of my baby for doing what a lot of people would not do, and he didn’t even consider the other option.

You Slackers!

2008-09-04T05:18:00.001-07:00

One of my new favorite quotes. I started cracking up hysterically when I finished reading it…even the second and third time. Granted, you may need to have a special sense of humor to appreciate it, but for those of you Rina's out there…I know your gonna, at the very least, be attempting to cover up a smirk.

Quick background. The quote is from the Muslim Brotherhood (a huge international Muslim religious organization). In comparison to Al Qaida, they are considered pretty moderate, but believe you me, they're not, they just kill fewer people and work behind the scenes a lot. Most other Muslim terror organization use the Muslim Brotherhood's vision as their own and just add their own flair, as that vision is the lowest common denominator of religious Muslim organizations.

Kay, so this statement was taken out of the Muslim Brotherhood's strategic goal for North America. They were busted for using another organization as a front for them in the US of A; I think it was called the Holy Land Fund. And it's only the Muslim Brotherhood…can you imagine all of the Al Qaida front orgs and Hamas front org's in the USA and around the world???

Finally, before showing the statement, I want to make it perfectly clear, just in case someone who doesn't know me reads this. I have utmost respect for Islam, as much as I do for any other religion in the world; however, I have no respect for people and organizations that disrespect/ inflict harm on others, their beliefs or their religion.

Enjoy the quote, may it amuse you as much as it did me…
"The process of settlement [of Islam in the United States] is a "Civilization-Jihadist" process with all the word means. The Ikhwan must understand that all their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and "sabotaging" their miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all religions. Without this level of understanding, we are not up to this challenge and have not prepared ourselves for Jihad yet. It is a Muslim's destiny to perform Jihad and work wherever he is and wherever he lands until the final hour comes, and there is no escape from that destiny except for those who choose to slack."

The Test

2008-08-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

I failed a test today. It was a personal test, but I remembered something that for a few short moments, I forgot.

I have to give you the whole story, so that the big picture can be seen.

I met a good friend of mine for lunch today, and we met in a lounge at school. There was a woman who was sitting in a corner reading, and I sat in the other corner next to the window. My friend came in and we sat down and started talking. After maybe thirty seconds, the woman started telling us that we are not at home and we shouldn't be talking and we should go somewhere else. Note: The room is a meeting room for people to come and talk, eat and study, so we were doing nothing wrong. She said this and a few things along the same line, so my friend started talking back to her. Both of them had a not very nice exchange, and my friend decided to go get someone in charge.

I turned to the woman and tried to diffuse the situation, letting her know that this room is a room to congregate in; I spoke in a very calm tone. She started arguing with me and telling me that we should be quiet, and then she took out the big guns, she told me that we were cows, and that this country is not mine. I asked her to clarify, and told her that this country isn't hers either, right? Presuming that she meant that we weren’t Queens or something. This country isn’t yours, She repeated again. My blood began to boil and I told her that she didn’t know me and she has no right to judge me. She told me again, I carry a foreign passport, so I don’t belong here. The proceeded to tell me that she knew a lot of cows our type on campus and she knows what were like.

At this point I was really angry, and so I told her that she managed to make me angry and that she was the first person in years to really do what she managed to do.n The I repeated that I am an Israeli and she has no right to judge me, and of course, that I carry an Israeli passport.

Situation repeats itself, and I repeat myself. I'm still speaking pretty calmly, but anyone could see I was raging. I then decided to ignore her, as I began to realize that I got pulled into her rage.

My friend came back, bringing some random very pregnant lady, who I assume was supposed to be a person of authority, though she was just an administration person. She asked what was going on, and we both began to explain the situation, she also continued to hurl her insults. The pregnant lady after a minute said she's leaving, this is a 5 year old argument.

So she left, my friend started talking to me, and I realized that we were not go anywhere else to eat, as she wouldn’t budge out of principle. After a few minutes other people came in and the random lunch congregation began. But I couldn’t let it go. I was mad. Finally I realized that I had let somebody else control my emotions and I let myself stoop down to her level. I soon after took those emotions, made a bubble, and blew it away (an amazing technique I learned from Dharma and Greg…the TV show).

Then I remembered that even seven years ago when I was called a vermin and told that I deserved to be gassed, I did not let myself stoop to that level.

And so I realized that I failed my test, but at least I know that this was a lesson that I will not soon forget.

Homecoming

2008-08-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

First of all, how do I answer your comments without making another comment on my blog? This is specifically for you, Amy and Candace...

So... then I came back to Israel (and, as previously mentioned, to a very sexy hubby). I had 15 wonderful hours to relax and unwind from my trip before returning to "real life".

Next morning I started my new job, working at a very prestigious think tank here in Israel, well known for its employee turnover and difficult management. I was ready to face the challenge (which I think I have done a really good job at up until now, and am proud to not yet have taken being yelled at personally).

I actually really like my new job. I am bored out of my mind, writing letters and working on fundraising and logistics all day; but when it comes right down to it, it is giving me exactly the kind of knowledge that I, as a Safra, need to shape up and get organized. As we all know, I am the Queen of Procrastination, and organization is not one of my Pages. So this work is really good for me.

The problem was, and still is, that I am in the middle of exam and paper writing period. For those of you inexperienced with the Interdisciplinary Center Masters program, in its first year, we as the guinea pigs have gone through hell over the past few months, having to write papers and take exams while studying 30 hours a week, and in my case, until I went to Hungary, worked full and part time.

Luckily for me, back in those good old days, I could do most of the work for my full time job from home, leaving me able to sneak in studies on the side. Plus, in classes, I could continue working on my papers and studying for exams. I thought I was the busiest and most overworked that I could possibly ever be (and you all know how busy I normally keep myself).

Yeah…now…not so much. Now I am working full time, in an office where I must be here each day. I have work from both Spring and Summer semesters that need to be done by October 1st, and I have no classes where I can ignore the Prof, and get school work done. Needless to say, this period has managed to top my last busy period by far. Seeing as I got all of my complaining and tears out last week, I am not going to complain anymore…just stating the facts.

I am complete with the situation, though. There's really nothing I can do, but go along with it. I know that it is not possible for me to finish all of the school work by the end of September, so I will do what I can, and trust in the fact that we will be given extensions on whatever is left over.

Idan has been wonderful throughout this period, and not once complained that I cant spend a lot of time with him, or that I need to stay at the library till 1900 (when they kick me out). And luckily for me, he has to go to work at 0630, which means that I can easily go to work and have 2 hours to study before work starts.

So that’s been my life lately. Now that we are all caught up, I will probably get back to my random rants about life and the situation over here. Fun stuff.

Anyhoo…seeing as I haven’t yet been busted for writing this during work, I think I shouldn't push my luck (I write this with a big ole' mischievous grin on my face ;) .

So, my happy self will get back to work now…and I want to make one thing clear, I am really happy, just overwhelmed, so don't go worrying about me or anything!!!

Later y'all!

Home on the Range

2008-08-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

OK, I think it is time that I get this blog going. Ive put if off for long enough.

After a very annoying last minute postponing of the hike that I was supposed to do in Israel, I got online and bought the cheapest airling ticket I could find. So where did this adventure take me?

Hungary! A country that I would have never considered taking a vacation to, and certainly not on my list of places to visit before I die. But, as all adventures go, the experience was magical.

Upon arrival in Hungary, I overhaerd a conversation about public baths, and having missed that experience in Morocco two years earlier, decided that this time, it is a must. Little did I know that the thermal baths and lakes would become the core of my trip.

My trip was only a week long, but I got to go to almost all of the places I wanted to get to (cuz I had such a serious itinerary planned, you know...) I spent the bulk of my time in Budapest, a glorious city seemed together over time based on both sides of the Danube River. Being the walking fanatic that I am, I spent my first day getting totally and utterly lost in the area of 1 sq. kilometer. Then my second day, I made my destination a 16th century Turkish bath, and went sight seeing along the way. First I went to the Jewish Quarter, the picture below, at the great Synagogue, is the holocaust memorial of the almost 500,000 Jews that were deported and murdered by the Nazis. Also, it is uber important for me to mention that this was the site where my great hero, Theodore Herzl was born. I was so proud.

Then I walked across the river to Pest (my hostel being in Buda), enjoyed a nice walk up to Castle Hill, which was basically a really old school castle and town, and four hours later hit the Baths.

Wow! Being the hyper person that I am, I normally dont have patience to sit for more than a few minutes, but two hours later, I finally managed to pull myself out of the water, and convinced my completely relaxed body to walk the long way back to Buda and my hostel.

Having been rejuvinated for my first time in two years, I decided that H2O is the way to go, and the next morning took a train down to Lake Balaton (the Hungarian's Vacation) relaxed at the lake that evening and went to a thermal lake in Heviz the next morning. For those of you who have never experienced the healing power of thermal lakes...It simply cannot be underestimated. My always there knee pain hasnt come back since I was in that lake almost three weeks ago, my completely overworked and knotted body all of a sudden, was perfectly fine. Only today, three weeks later, am I beginning to feel some of the pain returning to my back (I am going to make it a monthly habit to go up to the thermal springs in Tiberias to take care of that). Unbeleivable, the healing power of water.

From Balaton, I went up to Eger, where I was supposed to drink Bulls Blood Wine, their specialty. But I never got around to it. Instead, my two days were spent with exploring the city (about 6 hours) and locking myself into my dorm room to fathom the spiritual breakthroughs that I began to experience.

Upon return to Budapest, I explored the Buda side of the city. Below is a picture of the House of Terror, where citizens were taken and tortured for activity against the Communist government...the pictures on the wall are people who were killed by the regime. At Independence square, I met the producer of Pimp My Ride (he said Xibit is a nice guy) and his brother, an economist...me and my foot in mouth told him that Im not interested in economy, I just dont get it... then gushed about the producers work. But for the record, they were both way cool and though we only hung out for a short time, it was really fun for me to meet English speakers my age. I then finished my last day with another thermal bath, which was way too crowded for my standards.

So, here are my lessons learned:

1. I am way to old to be backpacking and staying in hostels (Ames, remember the woman at Balmer's? Thats what I felt like).

2. I have turned more and more into my mother, and I like it (sorry for all my impatience with the way you spoke to people while travelling and always wanting to do things bright and early and running around).

3. It is possible to survive without even the slightest knowledge of a language in a country where even instruction labels for making food are only in Eastern European Languages (let alone the people). Believe it or not, I somehow managed to get along on my 10 words of German and a lot of smiles and thank you's.

4. There is no better way to find "you" then to be completely outside your element. Granted I already knew this, but I have to reiterate for myself.

5. Sanity is in the eye of the beholder. If anybody knew the things that I have been thinking, I would be immediately sent off to the looney bin. Thanks for believing me, Idan.

I know theres one more, but I dont remember it right now.

By my return home to my incredibly sexy and much, much lighter haired and darker skinned husband, I was completely rejuvinated and ready to go...

So We'll see how long I can keep this up...

2008-07-22T01:09:00.000-07:00

Ever since Noelle started her blog, I thought that it was such a great way to let friends and family keep up with the going ons of life. I told myself I would wait until we had kids before I would start one, but be it as it may, we dont yet have kids, and I think the time has come for us to have a blog.

As you all know, I definitely top the charts as being the worst keeper in toucher out there, so in order to keep up with life, without talking to everyone every day, it think this is the best possible way. Plus, I can upload pictures, which I cant do on the phone, and never thought to do by email...

So, lets see how long I can keep this up...