Milestones and Life-Changing Events

It is amazing how fast time can just fly by and how much one can accomplish in such a seemingly short amount of time. This month will mark my 18-month anniversary of making aliyah. I can honestly say I have no regrets. Have things been easy? Absolutely not. Have there been struggles? Absolutely. These things come along with any new situation. There are so many great things that have happened to me as well.

I was lucky enough to have met my now fiance the day I made aliyah. We got engaged after a year together. He is Israeli and has been so supportive of me throughout this whole journey. He has helped me through so much and it is always helpful to have an Israeli on your side. I still haven't developed the tough Israeli side so it's good to know I can get him on the phone to demand the service I need. He understands it can be hard here for me sometimes but he is always there for me.

I have also started a job in the tourism industry (let me know if you are planning a trip to Israel!). I came to Israel 13 times before I moved here. It was those trips that made me fall in love with this country and I am so fortunate to be able to plan trips for others. I hope they leave Israel with a new understanding and love for Israel. I love discovering new things to do and see in Israel!

I felt it was finally time to write a new post because I received my Israeli passport in the mail today (you are entitled to a full passport 1 year after aliyah). This is a HUGE milestone for me. When I boarded my plane to Israel on May 18, 2014, I sat there thinking that I only have to get through six months and then I can go back. I always would have regretted not moving to Israel but did not have much confidence in it working out for me. Well here I am, 18 months later, and still going strong. There are still struggles and fights (like with the guy who tried to cut in front of me in line who told me Israelis don't stand in line on Fridays...he got an earful from me...in Hebrew!). My Hebrew has really improved! When I call for customer service - an oxymoron in this country - in English, the person who picks up almost always does not speak English but it forces me to have the conversation in Hebrew and I am successful.

So much has happened and so much is still yet to come. Now I have more traveling to do since I just doubled the number of passport pages that need stamps :)

Elections or 3rd Grade Science Fair?

Today I witnessed democracy at its best. As an Israeli citizen (even a new one) I was able to cast my vote in the elections today. My mom is currently in Israel to visit me and I was so proud to take her to my polling station and have her watch me have a voice in the only democracy in the Middle East. You go find your group number and line up. I found out the reason for the groupings is because everything is MANUAL! One person goes at a time up to the registration desk where they find your name and cross you off the list with a red pen.

Across the room is what looks like the three-sided poster board you used for your 3rd grade science fair project. This one is blue and had the Israel emblem on the front. When you walked around the board, there was a box with papers with random Hebrew letters on them. A giggle definitely came out as I rounded the science fair poster and came upon the box of paper. Israel creates the world's most advanced technology and they can't figure out how to create a computerized voting system with multiple options?! The letters don't even have anything to do with the party associated with it!

I studied before I went to vote (and thank goodness for all the organizations that help olim - immigrants). I received an e-mail in the morning with a guide to voting. It listed all the parties and their associated letters. You pick the paper of the party you are voting for and seal it in your envelope you received at registration. Drop that envelope in the sealed box and you have completed your civic duty! I walked away believing I voted for the best option.

On my way out, I was stopped by a Canadian news reporter who asked for an interview (he liked that I already spoke the same language). He wanted to know why I came to vote and my opinion of Bibi. Voting is the only way you are guaranteed to have a voice and I felt proud as an Israeli to cast my ballot. While I normally don't shy away from talking Israeli politics, I didn't get too political during the interview. We talked about last-minute changes by politicians in the elections - Bibi changed his stance on a two-state solution late last night and Livni announced yesterday that she would not take over as Prime Minister after two years in a rotation with Herzog. I don't remember if changes like this were ever made in US elections I took part in, but these changes still didn't impact my choice.

Voter turnout has been very high for this election for both Israeli Jews and Arabs. People want change. I'm pretty sure there were no Bibi supporters at my polling station because everyone was sharing their choice while on line. Polls are closing in less than two hours and I am anxious to see the results. There is still time before coalitions are finalized and announced but I am proud to have taken part in this democratic process.