Wow. I couldn't really believe my eyes yesterday morning as I woke up and looked out the window at frozen Lake Michigan. A whole year gone by. I clearly remember where I was exactly a year ago-- in Israel, specifically in Tel Aviv-- enjoying my last few moments of a work trip/vacation that changed my outlook on everything.
I had spent so much time in the fall of 2011 being absolutely miserable in both life and career. When I think back to that gloomy period at all the dinner dates and outings that I had with friends and how I just emptied my soul with tears during each encounter. It wasn't a pleasant time...
2012 brought a new beginning. It brought a ray of light out from the dark stormy sky that I was living under. I will never forget how the heaviness just lifted off my shoulders the day I quit that rotten job. I suddenly could breathe again and I began a journey that changed me in so many ways.
2012 brought light back into my life. I went to Israel and began an adventure that changed me in so many ways. I had opportunities to connect (and reconnect) with so many important people in my life. It gave me the chance to explore myself anew. I traveled throughout the country and made fresh footprints in the sand. And while the journey only ended up being temporary it gave me so much strength to return and ground myself again in Chicago.
I recently came across a list I had made while I was in Israel of things I missed in Chicago (note that family and friends are a given and are not included...)
-Louie and Lola
-Anthropologie
- TJ Maxx
-Target
-Costco (I even noted that this concept would never work in Israel!)
-Things on menus with peanut butter
-MEXICAN FOOD
-Sushi (I wrote that it does exist and it can be good but just doesn't compare)
-People who don't push when they are standing in line
-3550 N. Lake Shore Drive
-Going downstairs in slippers to the 4th floor for "visiting hours"
-Hosting Shabbat dinner
-Watching the Oscars properly
-Waiting for school closing because of a possible blizzard
-Knowing that other people watch the Bachelor on Monday night and can discuss it on Tuesday morning
-Starbucks Xmas blend with sugar free vanilla
-Running on the path
-Training for a race
-A quick 2 hour flight to NYC
-Taking the 135 bus downtown to the Federation (that one was to make sure people were reading this... thats a big fat JUST KIDDING)
-Veggie egg white omelettes at places like Yolk, Horizons, or Nookies
This list cracked me up because I clearly started it when I was homesick and most of it has to do with either shopping or eating... says a lot about me, huh?
And that was only the first part of 2012...
The return home included so many wonderful, amazing, crazy, exciting and what-the-fuck memories!!!
If I were to sum up the best of times the list would include...
-my goodbye party, which was hands down one of the best parties I've been to
-coffee dates and conversations with Helene
-playing tour guide to my German friends, Jenni and Basti
-going on the best date I have ever been on
-finding out that Jilly Bean was pregnant
-working a minimum wage job at Windy City Sweets
-reentering the BZAEDS community and being received with such open arms
-crossing the finish line at my first 15k race
-seeing Ray LaMontagne play on stage at the Chicago Theater
-doing some other crazy unmentionable things
-dancing my pants off with Michelle at the Hange Uppe
and opening my heart up to anything and everything that the world has given me. In this crazy world where so many things happen every day, I just keep reminding myself that there's just so much to be thankful for.
I wish everyone the most wonderful beginnings to 2013.
Cheers.
.JPG)
