the end of october/beginning of november

i was thinking of comparing my life in jerusalem to my life in boulder. it is impossible simply because every similarity can also be construed as a difference. for example, i could discuss the commonality of sitting in class all day but then argue the difference in the material i learn. i could argue the 'daily gym visit' parallel, but this is also problematic because of the difference in patronage. at c.u. i was surrounded by sorority girls with bobbing pony tails and deep-v american apparel tshirts, while here i am overwhelmed by israeli men working off the pita and humus from the night before. so now you see my dilemma. 

all in all life is good. i have started thinking of my apartment as home and recognizing the faces in the neighborhood stores i visit. i love traveling around the country (tel aviv mostly) but the second i leave jerusalem i crave my return. the combination of hassidic men and their secular counterparts is unique to this city as well as the terribly fitting sheitels donned by women my age. but jerusalem is my community, and ramban #7/apartment #15 is my home. i honestly always knew i would live in israel for an extended period of time, but the unknowingness of said plan lain within the capacity and timing. 

every blog i post has a significant portion discussing the possibility of staying here. i won't write it all again because my questions remain the same. if i were to assign a theme song to this issue it would be 'should i stay or should i go' by the clash. should i stay or should i go now??? 

i haven't been hit by any cabs yet, a remarkable feat in itself, and i understand bus drivers like a pro (they tend to mumble in hebrew). i have fallen in LOVE with running and even completed the 10k in tel aviv last saturday night. i am meeting people from outside the yeshiva and grown closer to those within it, both of which offer new dimensions to my social experience. i often talk about my friends at home and find myself smiling and laughing uncontrollably when sharing our experiences. i miss you and love you all so much!

congratulations to older brother brian on his engagement and am excited for the big day in june! mazel tov dude.

i love you all and cannot wait until the end of february when we can order a diet coke, double vodka tonic, and water at the dollar wells. 

peace out from jewland, 

lisa