Lizrael Update: babbling about the expat life since 2004
-
Fifty-Two Frames: Shapes
An ode to changing seasons… to ending chapters… to remembering the moment I realized, on a beach in Tel Aviv, among the curvy women, the chubby women, the skinny women, the older women, the speedo-ed men – that I, too, can wear a skimpy bathing suit, and frankly dears, no one gives a damn. Unless…
-
Fifty-Two Frames: Kissing.
Last week, my legally-contracted partner, shareholder and roommate did the opposite of what I just did and displayed his romantic side by treating ourselves to a relaxing, delicious, fun and kid-less overnight in Herzliya. We got to enjoy the beach on our terms and also take the opportunity to overcome last week’s Fifty-Two Frames theme,…
-
Candle.
“Ima, what’s this?” “That? That’s… a candle.” “But why is it here?” “Why is it here… …Remember how I’m from New York? I was a kid in New York. Like you’re a kid in Tzur Hadassah. I grew up there… with Grandma and Grandpa… It’s where I went to school. You know?” “Ya.” “So… many…
-
Fifty-Two Frames: Sunset.
For a while I’ve felt a bit stuck. Living in a lovely shoe box of puzzle pieces; it’s the complete set, so I know everything will fit. And then at some point, one must look around and wonder if there’s another puzzle somewhere, in some alternate universe, and if one were to mix the pieces…
-
lizrael update: Thirty.
In a way, I consider myself fortunate that on the eve of my thirtieth birthday, I spent my night at an אסיפת הורים for my kid’s gan. I’m not a birthday person; I haven’t been for a long time. If nothing else, surely my mother deserves the credit for being split open so that I could…
-
Bebe update: Seventeen months.
Transition is tough, little one, but here we are, all of us, flowing through it, year after year. Your first day of gan I came to get you, and before you spotted me I caught a glimpse of you and I saw my own little round face, as I imagine it must have looked, so…
-
Fifty-Two Frames: On the Edge.
Last week’s Fifty-Two Frames entry was part of a new year vow to more frequently and more deeply explore the amazing nature that surrounds my home. Week 35: On the Edge After jumping off the edge of the rocky cliff, I realized I should have done a before picture, too.
-
Like the Rabbanut… on Facebook.
A couple months ago, out in Jerusalem, we noticed that kashrut certificates for restaurants seem to have been updated: Hmmm… I didn’t even see it at first, but that ubiquitous blue F doesn’t stay out of your eyesight for too long. The Jerusalem Rabbanut on Facebook – how kosher can that be? So – would…
-
The time I taught Koala about the atmosphere.
I left at 1:50pm to pick Koala up from gan, which ended at two. Only by the time I had parked across from the gan’s front yard, and noticed the street was lacking other parked cars, and the yard was lacking children and laughter, I knew something wasn’t right. And it was Koala’s face. Buried…
-
Still innocent (phew).
So Koala was standing next to the shower while I was taking one (he didn’t want to be alone since he’s suddenly scared everyone is going to leave him). I started shaving my armpits. He asks me, “Whoa, what are you doing?” So I answered, “Shaving.” Then with this really confused look on his face,…
-
Fifty-Two Frames: Natural Framing.
America loves water parks. And New York City loves water in local parks. And we love taking advantage of it. Since I’ve been visiting with kids, we’ve discovered two awesome local playgrounds featuring water play on Staten Island. I’m sure there are more, and sometime when we go back, I’ll find out. Week 34: Natural…
-
Koala update: You have an American mom.
I grew up with this perception of the Israeli kids in school being pretty laid back, coming to school with their lunch packed casually in plastic bags. I thought it was really cool… because I was a kid, and anything I didn’t get to do was cool. Even if every year my mom took me…
Questions? Comments? Advice?