10 weeks into the adventure and I'm about to leap onto the 2nd stepping stone. I've managed to learn how to navigate to and from work where I'm still acclimating to a very different educational system and meeting really wonderful and supportive colleagues. I've received my first deposit of sheckles into my Israeli bank account and have become "google translater's" biggest fan. I'll soon be leaving the cozy apartment that was so conveniently located to the beach, open market, and transportation for a larger apartment in a quieter urban town about 15 minutes away. The 1st roomie, Lironne, has decided to fly solo and roomie #2, Devorah, will be joining me to sprinkle our fairy dust all over Givatayim. In Israel it is amusing that people travel with their closets (armours) and all household appliances so it looks like Devorah and I will not only master the Israeli Craigslist (i.e. Yad2) for apartment searching but also for 2nd-hand furnishings. We currently wait for the opportunity to turn over 12 rent checks and sign a lease along with 2 co-signers before beginning to scour the ads.
My Hebrew reading and expressive vocabulary is coming along slowly but surely and being here makes me determined to become somewhat proficient by the summer. Being a part of the educational psychology department is greatly contributing to professional terminology, practicing yoga helps with anatomy and kinesthetics, and my weekly language exchange helps me tie it all together.
I know people say the 1st year is the hardest for an immigrant and so far knowing that have I put my life on hold in Chicago prevents me from being able to think as an immigrant. The truth is that I would like to give this life a real "go" and have a feeling that once Devorah and I make our new place feel like home, it will be hard for me to return to the States in just 8 short months. Low salaries and the high cost of living is really the only thing holding me back from jumping in with two feet.
O.K random but I just have to throw it out there. In Tel Aviv, people's careless habits with animal care (i.e. fleas, dog shit, and homeless animals) in conjunction with my dog's garbage eating on the beach resulted in the discovery of gnarley tapewormies. Luckily 2 pills later and the critters are gone. Gross.
The fact that it is almost December and I was walking my dog along the refreshing sea barefooted in a fall jacket can't be beat. Time to land on the 2nd stepping stone......
