Shabbat Christmas

Two weeks in America and it still just feels like vacation. It is cold here. And Christmasy. It's funny, I was never anti-Christmas and I still love the lights and going to my Bubbie's for the holiday, but now it feels like from the moment I landed the whole country was shoving its Christmas cheer down my throat. Within two minutes of landing, before the seat belt sign even turned off, there were carols playing on the plane. Everything has Santa on it or fir trees or wreaths. And while there are some nice sales as a result, holy lord its a little overwhelming. But now the holiday is over, and I have to say, I actually enjoyed the day, if not all the hype that led up to it.

My brothers and I drove up to NY last Wednesday, and while the hour long debate they had about Roman warfare while speaking in exaggerated (and bad) Southern accents was annoying to say the least, I have missed them and it was nice to spend time with my little brothers. Barak and I stayed at Shosh and Ez's for a few days while Rafi galavanted around NYC with his friends. I was content to stay in Riverdale and hang out with my nephew and watch Bones (which is my rebound show after two years of watching nothing but Glee). I got to have lunch with one friend, and while it was really nice to catch up I have finally realized that in the past two years my friends have all moved to new places and made new social circles and while they will always be my friends we are now the "grab a coffee and catch up when you are in town" friends and no longer the "Hey, what are you up to tonight?" friends that we used to be. But steering clear of the unknown depths of what my social life is going to look like for the next five months, on Friday Shosh, Ez, and Alon, and Rafi, Barak, and I all headed up to New Hampshire for Shabbat Christmas with Bubbie. We had family dinner on Friday night, which my aunt and uncle had to leave early in order to make it to church, but that was fine. The boys all bickered and Bubbie had fun listening and everyone doted on Alon. It was nice family time. Christmas/Shabbat morning we all got up early and I had enough time to daven before we all had to congregate around the tree to open presents. We were all given our Chrismakkah gifts and lounged around the tree in an overflow of wrapping paper and empty boxes.

We had cholent- our cousins favorite food- for lunch and lounged about reading and napping in typical Shabbat style. We said havdallah an hour before Christmas dinner and whipped up some spaghetti to eat as the main course was a very not kosher deep-fried turkey. Uncle Steve and his moustache were a huge source of entertainment for Alon, and thus for the rest of the family, and all in all it was really nice quality family time. I do understand why this is such a popular holiday. I just think the commercialism is a bit of an overload.

Anyway family time was cut short when my father called with a blizzard warning and we ended up packing up and heading out that night in an attempt to beat the storm home. I am now in NY watching the snow blowing around and looking forward to a few cozy days with my sister's family. Hopefully I will be able to make it to Boston for New Years with my favorite person and after that, well classes, and real life, begins.

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go

My apartment looks so empty. my room so lonely. Most of the week our apartment looked like it had been raped with trash everywhere, suitcases in piles exploding all over the place and a ridiculous amount of STUFF scattered all over every surface. But now it is Friday, and we are all cleaned up. Still, the walls are bare (as all the art on them belonged to me) me room looks naked and a surprisingly large amount of boxes sit in the corner waiting to be moved to Efrat. Nechama moved out on Sunday and the new roommate, Ilana, moved in on Tuesday. My replacement is coming on Sunday and it very much feels like the end of an era. For two years, this apartment was my home and the people that gathered here became my family.
I am excited to come back to the States, in fact I am more than ready to move on to the next step, thrilled that I am going to get to spend so much time with my family and friends. And kind of hoping for some snow (knowing my luck, there will be none, despite the Snowmageddon of last year). I feel ready for this move, and for that I am glad. I know that I will be coming back soon and five months will fly by, but again, it is this feeling of moving on to something else, of taking the next step that is making me pause, sitting on my couch that will soon no longer be mine, saying goodbye to an apartment that already feels like a memory.
And now I am getting overly poetic which I really shouldn't do, as two years in Israel has severely impaired my vocabulary. So I am going to head out, enjoy my last Shabbat in Israel (for awhile), and I will see you all soon!!

Home for the Holidays

I know it has been awhile, and for that I apologize. It was a combination of lack of time and lack of anything exciting to say. And partially an aversion to having to relive my week and take out the valuable parts.

I find that my mood is fluctuating alot and I am having trouble thinking about why. There are alot of emotions tied to my almost imminent departure, both good and bad. There are days when I cannot believe I am leaving for so long, and others when I cannot wait to get out of here. I am ready for the change that these few months will bring, but I do worry about having to come back and start from scratch in Haifa.

Esti and I

Last night my roommates fiancee, Avi invited us over to sing with him while he lit candles so he wasn't alone. It was only about 20 minutes, and only a few of us, but it was the kind of request that one asks of their "Oleh" family, and it made me smile to be with mine. Tonight was "Family Channukah". It started with a brief visit to the Auerbach Family dinner, to which the invitation alone reminded me how much a part of the family they consider me. I then had to rush home for my "family" as my roommates and a few close friends were planning on lighting together, eating some latkas and exchanging gifts. It was so nice to line up and light with my friends and then sit around youtubing Channukah songs, eating a ridiculous amount of fried food (this is totally a southern holiday) and swapping silly gifts. It really felt like home and made me realize how much of a home this apartment has become. Not just in terms of how comfortable I feel here, but how many of our friends find refuge in our apartment and come to us when life is kicking their ass. More of my friends came over around 8, thankfully bringing some salad to cleanse our palettes before the next round of latkas (these ones were zucchini!) and providing this wonderful comfortable atmosphere of friendship and food. 

I have missed my family on every one of the holidays (especially Thanksgiving), but it was so nice to see all my different families come together with me for this one. It comforts me to know that these people are more than friends or neighbors. They are the you of Israel. These are the people that will miss me when I am gone and welcome me back when I return. Coming back to America is never had because I know my family waits for me and misses me and cares for me. And today was the very necessary reminder that I have managed to build that here as well. 

I wish you all a wonderful Channukah full of light and love and latkas.

Our Chanukayot