Finding The Pitfalls Worth Living

One of the few things I understand my parents want from me is success;

but that isn't defined by money, it's defined by me being the best I can be.

On the road to the airport my mom played this song;

I gave her a few back as a counter, but thinking on it, she's right this song does define me.

Being the best we can be isn't about what we haven't or we don't, it's about what we can challenge others to become.

Making those you love is good, but making those who love you proud of their care in you is what makes heaven worth its' name.

I go to Jerusalem in 26 hours of this post, and I know it'll be a culmination of my life. Not for religious reasons but for spiritual. Because I enjoy being alive, be the existing of pitfalls and triumphs.

The First Day

Well, I decided to a few days before writing this post, because it has frankly been quite hectic.

But it's been a whirlwind adventure.

I will do my best to keep it as succinct as possible.

The flight from Toronto to Tel Aviv was insane. I have been on literally dozens of flighs, maybe even more than a hundred, and this one took the cake. There were two birthright trips on board, a trip sponsoring jewish youths by the Israeli government.

One was Canadian and the other from Los Angelas. Let's just say that from the moment the fashion seatbelt sign was removed, nobody sat down. There was even dancing in the aisles. I recall at one point the captain came out and looked around to see what was going on.

He ended up staying out for about 45 minutes, I heard him at one point say the plane was on autopilot when somebody asked.

The plane was trashed in the end. And I felt bad for the flight attendants. Especially since they had to get special Kosher meals to specific individuals and pretty much every youth had swapped seats by the end of the plane ride... several times. I managed to get some decent video, so once I can get it uploaded, you'll see what I'm talking about.

The airport was little better, but stunning inside.

 For as hyped up the security is in Israel, its way more relaxed than you would think. Although I was detained for several hours (not having a visa can do that) none of my bags were checked and after a scolding I was let go.

I exchanged my money, getting about 700 for the money I had with me. The taxi ride ate 200 of those shekels, which was my first clue to this sojourn being way more expensive than I had anticipated.

But my real shock was when I got to the Kibbutz Naan. Now I had been told to come early, but I think I actually came too early. When I got dropped off at the main office next to the apartments I would end up staying in, there was nobody here. No staff, no lights it looked abandoned. I had been informed there would be people there already, but since there was no one I resigned to wait around and see what would happen. I got tired of waiting so decided maybe I had the wrong place; after all there was a huge dig site nearby, as well as row after row of surprisingly well kept modern houses with green lawns. There was also a peacock sitting on an overturned shed-like structure. All in all it was weird, but also it seems very Israeli.

I wandered through town; there was a nice pool and was eventually pointed numerous times back to the kibbutz. I resigned to stay and wait, parking my bags outside of what was probably the office, across from the kitchen.

A few hours passed by, and another peacock wandered by. Eventually a nice South African or South American (At various times she referenced being from both) emerged from the building, and informed me the kibbutz was not open yet, and she didn't know what to do, and needed to phone the director, Ilan.

Nevermind I had been specifically instructed to come at least a few days early.

Eventually I was given a room, and taken to a cafeteria to learn that the only meal eaten in this particular area was lunch. As American, I was explained lunch was their dinner. I had to say I was quite surprised- I do not eat breakfast, but I do tend to have some of something to eat in the evening. Nope, say good-bye to dinner at least while here in the kibbutz.

The food was very well cooked, and the rice the second best I have ever had. The only person who cooks it better is my father, and the way he does it is an art I've never been able to come close to.

While I have access to the kitchen, it is mediocrely stocked; my mom wasn't kidding, Jews really aren't known to be hungry.

I was then taken on a short tour of the town and introduced to the store. It's funny, but some things like hummus, or chocolate milk are extremely cheap, say 10 shekels or 3 for the milk, but then essential commodities such as water are 33, when a bottle of wine is around 30, usually less, and sunscreen as much as 50.

It's even stranger because all the water in the kibbutz is drinkable and clean.

Outside the store a kitten was mewing loudly, while two others watched nearby. A dog wandered by, and seeing me, sat between my legs for a few minutes while people walked in and out. One guy eventually exited the store and shoed the loud mewing kitten away, but it came back a few minutes later. Cats, dogs, and peacocks, oh my.

I retired a few hours later as the sun began to set. It gets dark pretty quick, and with it my jet lag caught up to me.

A Sojourn To Remember

Well today is the big day.

July 6^th, 2015, I start a new life in the Middle East. I am writing this from the Reagan National Airport. I will be flying to Toronto, and from there to Tel Aviv.

Not my best photo, but I'm not traveling to look sexy.

I am actually using word instead of my blog to write this- ATT’s free wifi is so slow it cannot even load my page from blogger.com, so I may have to upload this. Who knows, maybe Toronto will have better WIFI.

It’s already been a bit of an adventure over the last 24 hours. From seeing old friends and leaving Maryland to saying good-bye to my mom and step-mother, her partner.

Oh yeah, I also got my bar mitzvah finally done. I went to see my rabbi just before we left Maryland, and he quickly did a mitzvah, wrapping me in the phylacteries and having me recite a prayer. It may be nearly thirteen years late, but at least it’s finally done. It was literally the most random thing I have thus experienced thus far, as when I went I did so with my mom expecting to say good-bye before I made the move. It was very appropriate considering how it was done, and I am grateful to rabbi Schusterman of Harford Chabad for doing this.

I also got to say good-bye to the sushi-guy, who literally makes the best sushi I have had, and I say that having eaten it for the last sixteen years. To put it in perspective, between Mexico, Michigan, New York, California, Maryland, West Virginia, Indiana, Canada, Austria, Germany, London, and Hungary, I still have not had better sushi. It’s truly a gem of Burke, Virginia, so go there if you get a chance.

I’ll post the pictures later I took with the owner and his wife. They’re pretty much family.

The airport is… well kind of crappy. For one the terminal I’m in is one of those hubs where they stick nine gates in a circle, so it’s one big overcrowded room. Babies are crying, doors are constantly opening and closing, and of course, there’s no seat. I had to fight for this small chair, and by fight I mean the kind you’d see in The Raid 2 or Oldboy.

I already have had positive and negative here also. The lady who bag checked us was Middle Eastern, and when saw my destination didn’t charge us extra for the overweight bags. Plus security only took fifteen minutes to get through, and I was able to get my lighter and e-cigarette through. That’s apparently fairly hard to do, the interwebz tells me.

However, I decided to get pizza since it would be fast. After retrieving my slice a lady hunted me down, claiming I had stolen her pizza and security would be coming for me. That was fun, and a reason to always hoarde your receipts.

She actually sitting across from me, and glaring at me, so whenever I look up and see her staring I flash the receipt at her again.

I mean, talk about rude, so I don’t mind returning the favor in my passive aggressive manner. Oop hang on, need to flash the receipt again to get a nice evil eye in return.

This is exciting! It’s not everyday you up and leave for a new life, and by no means do I think Israel is where I will stay permanently. This is the start of a huge adventure, and I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated.

Israel, here I come.

A Small Plague Of Problems

Here I am three days from leaving for the Middle East, and I have hit a snag.

Somebody where I live thinks because I am leaving it is alright to prey on me. Thus far on three occasions property of mine has been stolen in the last five days. No measure has helped, and since I work and sleep, I cannot keep my guard up at all times. It has not really been big things; money and a vaporizer, as well as a book and some clothing. I would like to think I misplaced these items, but truthfully having searched high and low, I know that is not the case.

It is petty, and cruel. I am leaving the country and this is what I have to leave with; essentially a middle finger.

And I am certain it will not end there.

Because I need to ensure that my travels will not be jeopardized such as my passport being stolen, or remaining money (I have closed my bank accounts, so am keeping a tight grip on my finances) I have decided that because I cannot prove who is doing this with whom I live to stay with friends instead. It seems the most prudent. I do not have the time to make a police report where nothing can be done, and frankly I believe this is being done because I am leaving. So I may as well leave early and be done with the situation.

It is a shame that such things happen to people, especially when they are leaving for another continent to help others. I want to leave the country on good terms, not with an essential middle finger from those I have been living with, but we cannot change what has been done.

I am writing about this because it is interesting. I see this journey as being a kind of story in the writing, and this is certainly an event that might be found in such a tale.

I'm not asking for pity of course, I just wish it wasn't the case I am experiencing this. No one wants to leave their country feeling negatively, especially because of events leading up to the departure. But we do not get to control what happens, and this is just my luck in this case before I go. Perhaps in a way it is exorcising any negative karma I have backstored, so I can have a neutral or clean slate when I leave.

I am not sure; I do know in my heart however that leaving after spending time with people I truly care about may be what is best. After all, I would much rather leave missing my country, than being glad to be done with it and having left.

Who wants to start a new chapter in life with the old one ending on a bitter note?

So I am choosing to extricate myself from the situation, and hopefully be able to leave on a positive note.

(For my other blog which focuses on martial arts, see: http://zenjael.blogspot.com/)

The Days Before

Hello, thank you for reading this blog.

This is a journal in blog form I will attempt to write everyday. It will be about my upcoming trip to Israel, where starting on July 5th I will fly from the United States, either from Baltimore or Philadelphia, and work for five weeks at a kibbutz in the town of Na'an. I will then starting on September 1st relocate to the town of Arad, 10 km from the Dead Sea, and teach English to Ethiopian-Jews who are refugees at the absorption center. I will be there for five months, with the second leg of my travels ending at the very beginning of February.

From there I will decide whether or not to do another stint of teaching English, or begin the Aliyah process to naturalize and stay, pursuing my graduate degree in archaeology. I intend to combine English with martial arts to teach the language- I think it will be a unique and very rewarding approach, both for the children and young adults I will spend time with, as well as for myself.

It has been quite a process so far; about a half year of applications. I originally was on the way to teaching for the MASA teaching fellowship, but ended up getting turned down thanks to a dismissed marijuana possession from when I was eighteen, seven years ago. Never forget that our mistakes of the past do follow us like a shadow.

This misfortunate turn of events led to very, very promising ones instead; I was shunted toward the project TEN program, and very much found myself drawn to the program. Instead of being a teaching assistant, I would be an actual teacher, offering very real opportunities in education for a group of people very much marginalized and who otherwise might not even have what little I can offer. What it means is instead of being a drone and just being present, I will potentially be able to make a real difference.

This blog will document my day to day activities. I am one of those people who often wind up in adventures, and have had my fair share well before this; from being in a convenience store robbery, to getting stabbed in the hand and shot in the foot- to saving a life, to leading a martial arts organization, and college and so much more. Some of my adventures have been wonderful, some have brought me to the edge of what surely is hell on this life. But usually they were events I stumbled into one way or another. This will not only be different, but I know in my heart life affirming.

From these myriad experiences I intend to apply myself to an adventure, that with the support of my family, I have actually chosen to pursue. I know it will be wonderful; all the trials of my life have led to this moment where I can actually take my life into my own hands, and make something useful out of it.

I'll be writing again as the date approaches.

Wish me luck!


(For my other blog, which focuses on Martial Arts, see: http://zenjael.blogspot.com/)