Don't Want to Be a Part of It

They tried but they failed.

I was in NYC this past weekend visiting my cuz Amelia and hubby Gabe and many of friends there. Everyone was encouraging me to stay and live in NYC. Although I had a wonderful time with everyone, I know Texas is home. I've missed my family a lot this past year so I want to settle here (I'm home now).

Thanks for a great weekend in NYC, all you transplants!

Leaving Israel

Today is my last day in Israel and I head to NY tomorrow morning for a few days to visit family and friends. I have mixed feelings about going, but I feel like the time is right to move on to the next stage of my life. I'm looking for jobs (preferably doing finance analysis - if you know of anything) in Houston and Austin. We'll see where fate takes me.

Close to Home...

The news hit class this morning that a friend of one of the students was killed in the fighting last night. The girl was devastated, and we all are remorseful. It's hard to know how to help. I was praying that the fighting would end before I leave for home next Friday, but it's not looking good.

How is it Possible?

I live with the sweetest, friendliest Israeli gal. She is very talented - she works with elders and children, does reflexiology, writes books (she's trying to get published), and plays the guitar. So what's the problem? She's in her 30s and single (ready to settle down)! My theory - she's shy and spends a lot of time at home with her dog Libbi (means "my heart" in Hebrew). Also, she doesn't cook very often. Now I'm on some sort of mission to find the perfect man for her. I figure he must be a chef hanging out in his apartment.

Taking it All In

I leave in a week and a half and have been rather busy taking in all of Jerusalem (AKA learning and eating). There are so many great restaurants, and I've been enjoying the company of my fellow students. Life is great, but we are all on the edge of our seats waiting for the end of the fighting in the north. Please send your prayers and thoughts to this part of the world. We need them.

Toilet Paper: Multi-Purpose Item

When I think of the use of toilet paper, I think of the bathroom. My Israeli roommate however has a roll of toilet paper in every room in our apartment - toilet room, shower and sink room (separate room from our toilet), kitchen, and living room. She uses it to clean up just about anything - dog hairs, water, food, etc. I've really learned that toilet paper is really multi-purpose.

Can you think of other uses for TP in the house (not like wrapping the outside of someone's house which I never did as a teenager :))?

Safe and Sound

All the fighting and activity is in the north of Israel right now, and I'm in Tel Aviv/Jerusalem (in the middle of the country). We are watching the news carefully and taking precautions in crowded places. Everyone in Tel Aviv (where I am right now) is carrying on as normal and I'm sure it's the same way in Jerusalem (where I'll be tonight).

Please pray for the safe return of the Israeli soldiers. I do hope that no one else (on either side) is hurt or killed.