Most of you reading this may not know about my latest-and-greatest plans, so I'll do a bit of filling in. In April I returned home from spending 6 months in Israel as a student at WUJS Arad. (RIP to the Arad program =( !!) I had originally thought that spending 6 months in Israel would answer all of my many "do I want to move to Israel/make Aliyah questions," alas the fog was still hazy when I returned home in April and I remained undecided. I gave the whole full-time job, living at home thing a shot for a few months. I really enjoyed going back to work at Whole Foods then gaining some great experience at a group home for teenagers. I even got the chance to substitute teach (which I am currently doing) and found out how much of a natural teacher I am! All of these experiences were wonderful, but still there was something missing.
It wasn't until nearly September when I started thinking that I might actually miss being in Israel. Deciding that perhaps I just needed a change, I applied for some varied opportunities. The two options I pursued were a job working in NYC for Tel Aviv University's Overseas Program and also the Peace Corps. (I wasn't kidding when I said VARIED!) I gave both opportunities my all and it certainly payed off. Almost simultaneously, I got offered a job working for TAU in New York and I also received a nomination to Latin America for the June 2009 Peace Corps. I did not deliberate much about the job in New York. After finding out that the majority of my work would be in finance and billing, a long discussion with Mom brought me to the conclusion that this job would be good but certainly would not satisfy me for a year. Not to mention the fact that it paid not NEARLY enough money to live anywhere close to NYC. That left the Peace Corps. Everytime I thought about the possibility of serving for 27 months, I kept thinking back to my interview. The recruiter asked me where in the world I would want to volunteer and why. Well, she was not prepared for the 15 minute schpiel she received on why I needed to go to Jordan and Jordan only and how my passion, motivation and heart lies in the middle east. Funny this is, I never planned any part of that response - it just came pouring out me. Prior to that day - September 19 - I could have told you that I wanted to live/work abroad and do something humanitarian-related- but I certainly could not have told you with such assurance that the Middle East was the place for me. Unfortunately, the Peace Corps Boston will not send any volunteers for 18-24 months to Jordan (since a delegation just left). So that option was quickly out the window for me. When the recruiter asked me to pick another region to volunteer, I sat in the chair staring at her, my mouth hanging open. After what I just told her...she wanted me to... whaat?! I COULDN'T go to another region for 27 months when my passion and my..... UGH.... fine.... Latin America it is. (Not that I think volunteering in LA wouldn't be AMAZING. I DO! But after just realizing where I want to be and concentrate my time and energy - any other place seemed unfathomable.) Needless to say, I didn't accept the Peace Corps nomination either.
There I was, end of September, 2 great offers had come and gone. And all I could think about was Israel. Hebrew. Tel Aviv. The beautiful landscape of the Negev. Israelis. Bedouins. Crazy people heckling me at the Shuk. Ahhh, how I missed it all! I asked myself...if not now, when? And resolved to make Aliyah in June 2009. Why June? Well, Imy broke ass needs more time to (try to) save money, I made a commitment to be Jr USY director until June, Jenn & Ryan are getting married May 23rd (I'm a bridesmaid!), I love being home with Mom & Dani, I have a car payment until June 2010.... you get the point. Contacted the shaliach, set a date (Nov 7) and started dreaming away.
That plan was all great and fun for about 2ish weeks. I then found out that I wouldn't be able to lead a birthright trip this winter AND the craziest thing happened. At the exact same moment my Mom was booking Lauren's flight to Tel Aviv (where she will study abroad next semester) she got an email from her boss saying that Medtronic's ISRAEL office needs help for 4-6 months in 2009! Now my mom is many things, many wonderful things, but spontaneous is definitely not something I'd call her. Well, surprise surprise, she responds YES to the email immediately. GO MOM! Then we found out that they want her from January to May -- i.e. same time Lauren will be there! And she will take Danielle, my youngest sister! All this was WAY too much for me. Things like this don't just "happen" -- there is a reason. My whole family is going to be in Israel at once, so what did I decide to do? Expedite the Aliyah process to join them!!
That brings us just about up to date (sorry it took so long). I've currently submitted all necessary applications and am in the 'waiting' phase. I have opened a tik (aliyah account) and my applications have been received in Jerusalem by the Jewish Agency and Nefesh b'Nefesh. My hope is that I will be accepted on NBN's group flight for December 29th, which will put me in Israel in time to start at Ulpan Etzion in Jerusalem on January 15th. None of this is confirmed yet and I'm trying hard not to count my chickens before they hatch. Over the next few weeks I will have everything firmed up and I'll do my best to keep you updated along the way!
Next post: I'll share some of my reasons for making Aliyah. Disclaimer: You will probably still think I'm crazy for moving to the middle east after reading it, so don't get your hopes up.
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