I’m heeere!

After all the waiting, all the emotion, and taking care of all the specifics, I have arrived.  The Nefesh B’Nefesh flight went smoothly and all the olim were treated like rock stars.  How? (you are probably wondering.)  Well, tons of photographers and a half dozen videographers were recording our descent from the plane.  Then there were hundreds of people, including soldiers, waving flags, and singing and dancing for us at the terminal.  Even the Prime Minister showed up!  Nefesh B’Nefesh made my aliyah special and unforgettable, and I’m really grateful to them for that.  Even more special is the welcome of close friends and family–my aunt, uncle, and cousin came to greet me, and those first smiles and hugs are definitely some of the best hugs in my life.

It’s weird moving here because now, when I walk the streets in Israel, I’m thinking: “this time I’m staying.”  I can’t adequately explain the feeling of warmth that such thoughts evoke.  Life feels full of excitement and promise, though of course everything is not going to be perfect and trouble-free.  I’m still living in reality, and life has its ups and downs in Israel, just like everywhere else.

In respect to the norm of life, I am going to relate to you a new fairy tale called Goldilocks and the 50 closets.  The text goes something like this, “This one is too expensive; This one has no drawers; This one is poor quality wood, and This one is juuust right!”  I spent the day in Talpiot going in and out of furniture shops, checking out closets.  In Israel, the closet basically is  your room. It has the shelves, the wardrobe and drawers that holds all your clothing and living items. I think I was successful, although I’ll let you know when I actually get it.

Setting up a new life is difficult, but with the help from my family, friends, and Nefesh B’Nefesh, I say  - so far so good!