But first, this.
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| 1999 |
Now, as you know we had planned to make aliyah back in 2002. It took us 14 extra years to actually get here.
So I am not one to say that aliyah is easy. However, it is easier than you think. Yes, we miss our family and friends in America. But in this day and age we have Internet, Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, etc.... You can stay in touch fairly easily.
It isn't the same as when I hosted every event at my house and the family all came over. But you don't feel as out of touch. It isn't like the days of when I came to Israel for the year and 35 of us shared one pay phone. And four people had a name similar to mine (yes, three of them were boys, but let's not begin the discussion about how I have a boy's name). I actually enjoyed sharing the one phone. Our parents had no idea what we were doing. Really, we were good mom and dad, don't worry.
Politics :
I am not political. For real. I know some people hate when someone says that, but I just try and stay out of it. Unless you are my favorite Knesset member, Sofa Landver. Or unless you are the mayor of my city, who my friends think I am stalking. But it's just a healthy appreciation for others who are working to make my town a great place. Okay, and he is quite charismatic.
So I am watching what is going on in America from afar. I don't have television and I try and read articles as I can but it isn't the same. But what I really see are tons of people, specifically Jews, because they are the majority of my Facebook friends, and they are scared of what antisemitism is coming to America. And what will happen. This is the time people. At least consider aliyah. You have the right to be a citizen here. Sure it isn't perfect, but I'm happier than I've ever been. And things happen here that wouldn't or couldn't happen anywhere else.
Example :
I have semi mastered online grocery shopping here. Sure, sometimes I order two kilo of peppers because I think it's pounds and then I eat peppers with every meal for a week. Or once I was trying to order fish sticks and Google translate told me it was frozen fried Princess fish. But those blips aside, it's fabulous.
Anyway, this past week, we had groceries delivered. Normally the delivery guys will being it to my kitchen for me. But this time the hubby was home and greeted them at the door. The delivery guy offered to bring it up and hubby said no, but they asked again. So he said no, don't worry I have a lot of children, they can do it. And I heard the delivery guy say, oh, lots of children, Baruch Hashem (Thank Gd). Now, I don't have a lot of kids, but in America it was considered a lot of kids. Here, I just have a normal family size. And everyone seems to love kids. I wonder if I could have fit on an Israeli sidewalk with my triple wide stroller. Hmmmm. Also, how often does your grocery delivery guy say stuff like that.
Kosher Food l everywhere. Like literally wherever you go.
And that brings me to food. Okay, it's possible that I've become a bit obsessed with taking pictures of my breakfast and of my vegetables. And I can't quite figure out why. I think part of it is the novelty of the kosher breakfast, part of it is that I'm proud when I cook anything on my one burner stove top and part of it is that the food is just freaking good here.
I'm obsessed with breakfast. And the fact that hubby and I are both free on Fridays. So we try and go out to breakfast as often as we can, alone!!! Except the kids got wind of the fun we were having and they want to come and spend time with us. Ummmm, kids, I'm with you all of the time. Remember when I homeschooled you for two years and we spent literally every second together. Or when I couldn't afford daycare for the gang and so I stayed home with you for years. And then I started teaching preschool and one of you was in my class??? Remember??? We are always together. But fine. So far we've taken 3/4 kids by themselves to breakfast with us. One more to go. And then, sorry kids, but the adults will be splurging on breakfast alone on Fridays.
Vegetables:
They are bright and they are delicious and they arrive kind-of dirty so they are probably healthier. Also I can't eat cauliflower anymore here after the incident of the blue caterpillar infestation. And some vegetables don't exist (where are you parsnips) or are expensive (broccoli) so basically we (minus two kids who hate vegetables) eat loads of tomatoes (except the husband who hates those) , cucumbers, peppers, onions and zucchini. Seriously, I've had more zucchini in the past six months than I've had in the rest of my life. It's cheap and delicious and dirty. Mmmmm.
Eggs:
Okay, I'm just going to go with the assumption that my eggs basically go from hen house to my refrigerator in about fifteen minutes. Because otherwise, I wouldn't be able to deal with the fact that my eggs are almost always dirty and often have feathers stuck to them. So now, I've become a person that cleans eggs before I use them. New normal!
Cafe Hafuch, aka Lattes :
No complaints here. I drink two every Friday at our breakfasts and make them at my house a few times per week. If I were employed I might even buy them daily. But alas, I'm not employed yet, so I settle for one a week. Trust me, they are delicious. Israelis are very serious about their coffee. My favorite part is when they make designs in the foam. I take pictures of them weekly if possible.
In conclusion. I'm not political. But if I were, I'd tell you to get your passport, and be aware of what is going on. Also, if you've ever considered aliyah, keep considering it. It took us a long time to get here but better late than never. If you like food or at least staring at food and photographing it, then come and visit. Or move here. I'll take you out for a latte.
I'll end this with a photo of what my youngest child was doing last week. He had a friend over for a few hours and they disappeared for two hours. They returned home with this creation. Apparently they used a knot called a keshermot (or something like that) that he learned in Israeli scouts. Proud!!!
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