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 :)