Today was a JDB kind of a day...

The weather since I last wrote has been quite, how shall I put it... WINTERISH.  It even snowed in Jerusalem this weekend.  Although I wouldn't know it since I was in Tel Aviv.  Here the rain was just endless.  Today, thankfully the sun came back to grace us with its presence.

Well.  I have good news to share.  I found an apartment!!  Yes.  Its very exciting.  Last week I was quite determined to see some places.  I met some interesting people and eventually landed on a cute apartment smack in the center of Tel Aviv with two other roomies.  Its so close to everything.  Ideal location!  I think it'll be a nice place to live until June when I make some decisions about my future.  I'll fill you in more on it next time and maybe if you're lucky even include some pictures.

So I was in the apartment three times total and it wasn't until today when I met with the girl that I am subletting from (she is going to do Ulpan in Jerusalem for the next 3 months) that I actually took a close look at her wall and noticed that the big poster that takes up like half the wall is of the New York City skyline pre 9/11.  Eeshk!  How did I not see that before??  (That was time #3 that Josh popped into my head today).  There's something eerie about having to stare at that poster every day for the next 3 months and something very beautiful as well (trying to be positive here?)  Ten+ years later I still have a very hard time looking at any imagery of the Twin Towers.  Maybe its a sign.  Maybe there are things I still need to come to terms with...?  Or maybe I just need to find a picture and cover up the poster.  What do you think, Jill?

This is the poster.

Let me backtrack now to my morning.  I had another interview today.  I won't go into details about it, even though it was interesting.  More for their own confidentiality than anything (I'll obviously let you all know if I 1) get offered the job or 2) get offered the job and take the job.  Anyway, during the interview I was asked why I am a certified minister at the Universal Life Church.  Clearly, I forgot that I had that on my resume and it totally threw me off guard!!  So even though I stuttered for like half a second, this is what I said:

"My best friend, Jill got married this summer.  It was her second marriage and she wanted something really small and personal.  We had both been through a lot in the last 10 years and so she asked me to officiate her wedding.  It was incredible.  I got to stand with them under the chuppah and celebrate their matrimony."  (This was time #1 that Josh popped into my head today).  To which the woman responded, "That's nice.  I thought it was more like door to door preaching."  Hahahahahaha.  I might need to rethink that on my resume!

After my interview I headed out into the warm Israeli sun and walked to a coffee shop that I found last week.  Last time I was there I made a friend so I stopped in to have a cup of coffee and chat with my new friend again.  New friend is American and has lived in Israel for 7 years but originally comes from New York.  I ask where? He replies, "Long Beach." (This was time #2 that Josh popped into my head.  I think I turned my head, stared into space and just envisioned the bench that sits there on the water).  Anyway, funny that new friend's name happens to be Josh too although a different form of it (also to be left out for the sake of confidentiality of strangers).

I saw a movie this past weekend, "We Bought A Zoo" (Neil, I remember that time we took the CTA bus downtown together you told me that you were pleasantly surprised).  Well I have to admit, I was too.  It was a really sweet movie.  Redbox it or put it on your Netflix que.  I also went to see a play tonight in Herzliya.  It was deep and quite dark.  I am sure my dreams will be on speed tonight.

Also, I think its important to note that I've been here a little over a month... time flies.  Yay and mini celebration to me.

Its like midnight and I am exhausted so I will end here with this quote that I just came across because it is just so fitting:

"When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home." 

This is especially true because of two of the BEST gifts that I have ever gotten in the past two weeks: a beautiful memory book from Susan and Libby and an amazing care package from Jill.  Both of those incredible tokens touched my heart so deeply as well as the numerous emails and messages of love that I continue to get from my bestest.  You all know who you are.  So thank you for all making me want to come home every second of each day, but for also continuing to inspire me to be on my adventure.  I love you and send you eons of love.