New digs and old delicacies

In the past couple of days, we've visited Donna's family in Yavneh and Tel Aviv, and also swung by Jerusalem to sneak a peek at our new apartment! You can see our first impressions here. I also picked up a registration packet from HUC which contained, among other things, yet another Hebrew placement test... No pressure this time, as it's just to determine which level of ulpan ("studio") is best for me this summer.

I heard on NPR once that if Israel were to have an official food, it would certainly be hummus. After less than a week here, I must agree - it's unlike anything you can find in the USA! Same goes for all the produce and dairy products here; they taste like they hail from a land of milk and honey. Hmm...

Caterwauling in Rehovot

After two painless plane rides, I made it to Ben Gurion Airport, where I breezed through passport control and customs and retrieved both of the bags I checked! Donna was there waiting with her uncle Meir and he drove us to her grandparents' house in Rehovot, which is where we are crashing for the moment. In a few days we will make our way to our Jerusalem abode (pictures to follow), but until then I'm glad for the chances to get accustomed to the time change and to meet some more future in-laws!

Upon arriving in Rehovot last night, we ate dinner, courtesy Donna's grandmother "Safta the amazing cook," and went for a stroll down Herzl St, the main drag. I found the town to be charming indeed ("It's just a novelty for you," replied D), replete with outdoor shops, food stands, and clumps of locals crowded around TVs watching Brazil versus Ghana.

I also learned a new word to describe the peculiarly melodious sound of felines at night while in heat...

The night before

All packed and prepared for the journey ahead, after a few trips to the mall and Meijer. I had forgotten how nice it is to take a Mom shopping with you, as you're bound to come home with full bags and a full wallet!

Last blasts

I've enjoyed these last few weeks home in Michigan, reconnecting with good friends and family, tending to the schizophrenic puppy and getting all sorts of necessary items via UPS. It's hard to believe that I'm leaving for Israel on Monday! I'm looking forward to a day in the A2 tomorrow, followed by a requisite weekend of cleaning and packing.

Sometime in these last few weeks Obligatory Anxiety has reared its ugly head. As Mom wryly noted, though, I felt similarly anxious before going to Boston, going to college, and even going to middle school. Of course I'll be over it in a matter of days, but the excitement, the anticipation, and a mild case of cabin fever all seem to prolong my state. Crunches and push-ups help; I'm up to 200 and 75 respectively.

NB: Donna and I have set a date! Sunday, June 10, 2007 at the Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose, CA. For more info, find our site at www.weddingchannel.com.