Ohhhhh Boy!

Oh boy. What an intense week and a half it's been since I last posted! The Vols lost to both Oregon and Florida (though we put up a much better fight with the Gators than last year, and, had we played Oregon last year, we were definitely better prepared), the Titans won on Sunday, and we're playing South Alabama on Saturday and it should be a good one! I've started my packing, a lot of parting ways with favorite books, movies, clothes, etc. I have a long ways to go, but I officially leave Nashville in less than two weeks! I have started calling the Israeli Consulate yesterday about my visa and passport because I finally confirmed they had gotten it (more than two weeks ago). Today, they called me back to tell me the Jewish Agency would have it Monday, and I would have it Tuesday or Wednesday!!!

It's Sukkot which is one of my favorite holidays! I am so glad I get to spend this one with my family. I helped build it, decorate it, and of course have eaten several meals in it! I also went to a Sukkot potluck where I saw lots of people and had a great time. Cantor Lane even gave me some advice on what to do about my visa! It was really great. I also saw my fourth grade teacher and her family (who I had seen before), but her parents were there also, and her dad was in the Six Day war so we talked some about serving in the IDF. I saw my Hebrew School teacher (who I later worked with a few years ago) who is very dear to me, his wife (also a dear family friend!), and their nine-month-old son.

My family's sukkah

Saturday night Ana took me to my house and there were all these people sitting in the living room and said "Surprise!" I had been feeling kind of depressed because I have been very lonely lately, so it was lovely to see so many wonderful faces! I had known there was going to be a surprise party (I had figured it out but didn't tell my mom), but I had no idea who was coming! It was truly special. Not to mention all the wonderful things people gave me! These are gifts that are truly from the heart, folks. I got tomatoes and basil from a home garden, a "nesiyah tovah" from a non-Hebrew speaker, a painting from a three-year-old, instructions to be a "shaliach mitzvah" (the mitzvah was to have a good time!), three wonderful cards/notes, a very special travel mezuzah (which I thought was for a car, but is actually a necklace!), and the gift of all the people who came to show their love and support (and who managed to keep it secret better than my mom! She was the one who unknowingly gave it away haha). It really took my mind off waiting for my visa/passport, and showed me that I have lots of people who love me, even if they had to miss the party! I still have no idea who was invited, but yesterday when I went into work one of my coworkers asked how the party was and that she was sorry she missed it! I feel so blessed to have all these people sending me well wishes when I'm in Israel.

Of course, this happened when I posted my thanks of Facebook:
"When are you going to come clean & confess it's all a joke? This has gone far enough!"
Which reminds me of how I told my mom about all this. In May, my mom and I agreed I needed a car to get around (Nashville and Knoxville aren't very pedestrian friendly). When I came back from Israel, about a week and a half later, 
Mom: Let's start talking about the car.
Shirit: Hmmm... maybe not.
M: Why not? You need a car.
S: Maybe I don't.
M: You need a car in Knoxville.
S: Well, what if I didn't go back to school?
M: What else would you do?
S: I could get a job, movetoIsrael, stay in Nashville, lots of things.
M: Wait, move to Israel?
S: Mayyybe.

From there, she spent the next month trying to call my bluff until I was ready to tell everyone, when it finally hit her.
(I would tell the story about telling my dad, but it was less funny and involved a lot more Mexican food.)

Guys, I know this move is hard on more people than just my family and me. But maybe it won't hit others until I'm gone. That's okay. It's hit me several times while other times I'm completely numb to the fact that I'm leaving the people I love. I do know that at first when I arrive in Israel, I will feel it all the time, but probably the people here will feel it off and on.

Sorry I keep going on tangents, everything is all over the place (literally, my stuff is allllll over the house) and so is my brain!!


FYI:
For the non-Hebrew speakers out there:
Sukkot = Jewish holiday, hard to explain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukkot
Nesiyah tovah = have a good trip!
Shaliach Mitzvah = someone who is on a mission to do a mitzvah, such as a favor, and is therefore supposed to be under the special protection of God.
Mezuzah = also hard to explain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezuzah

Oh This City's Wild...Until We Say Goodbye

AHHH! Things have been nutty (as always). I am officially PAST the four weeks to go mark!
Still waiting on my visa. Maybe next week it will come.
I said goodbye to people in Knoxville last weekend. I didn't want to write a post right after because I was somewhat depressed about it. It was hard mainly because I didn't see a lot of people I wanted to meet up with, and then the people I did see I had to say goodbye to them indefinitely...! Now I am out of that funk mostly because...
I went to an amazing concert last night! It was the last Live on the Green of the 2013 season, featuring all local bands, with Moon Taxi headlining! I had gone to the Matt Nathanson one (I only saw The Mowglis in the end), but this one was super incredible. I was supposed to meet up with my best friend after coming with my brother, but it was impossible. And yet I still had a good time! After a week of feeling pretty lonely, it was nice to just rock out to my FAVORITE song LIVE, for FREE! I came home glittery and exhausted yet filled with adrenaline (we left while it was still hype) and so happy. The wonderful thing about music is that it is so therapeutic, especially when you are surrounded by people all receiving that same wonderful therapy as you. It connects the audience and creates a sense of unanimity. When we were waiting for Moon Taxi to come out, we were shouting, "USA! USA! USA!" which some people thought was "Moon Ta-Xay! Moon Ta-xay! Moon Ta-xay!" (This IS the South, after all) We were all dancing and singing and clapping our hands, there were even crowd surfers! (Some in a kiddie pool, even haha) When I got home, I had to stay up for another hour packing because...
This is my first post NOT from Nashville! I am in San Antonio, Texas to visit my grandmother this weekend! Right now I'm waiting for her to finish her treatment and then hopefully we can get some lunch. I was going to go to the mall over here with the big cowboy boots but after having to wake up at 5 am for the flight, I was so tired I fell asleep when I got to the hotel. I'm having fun because my mom surprised me with a king size bed which I have never slept in before! And I'm now friends with one of the concierges who came to get me from the airport, so I asked him what to do around here and he said, "You know, I've been here too long. I think it's pretty boring. And I can say that to you because you're young!" Well, that got me thinking.
When I was ready to move to Knoxville, I started loving Nashville more. I didn't resent it as much.
When I decided to move to Israel, I began to see the beautiful things about my home city that I hadn't noticed before. The way the sunrise is beyond beautiful from downtown. The nature to enjoy in Bellevue. The kind people. The sound of music everywhere. The way the city takes care of its own. Now, I still know that Nashville isn't perfect--neither is Israel, no place is--but I came to see all the city has to offer in its unique way. I began to take advantage of cheap and free concerts, especially. It's truly special. I will admit that I am going through a country phase, wearing my cowboy boots everywhere and learning to love country music, but it's not all bad. I'll bring my bit of the South to the Holy Land, saying "shalom, y'all!"
When it comes to Nashville and leaving for Israel I only have one thing to say.
"This much I know is true...God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you."
P.S. Vols did it again! vs. WKU, 52-20
That makes us 2-0! Wish those boys luck in Oregon tomorrow, let's get that upset!

UPDATE: Since I am not a faster and also am in San Antonio with my non-Jewish grandmother, I totally forgot. Hope everyone has an easy fast. G'mar chatimah tovah!

Next Year in Jerusalem

Five weeks to go.
I'm still waiting on my visa, but this week was all about buying things without spending too much money! As a lifeguard I currently make minimum wage but I still need lots before I leave. I have become a master at finding what I need for as little money as possible. This is a really good skill for when I'm on an ulpan or army salary, but it will be a lot harder when it's all in Hebrew. I went to the army surplus store yesterday to get my giant duffel bags in which I will put EVERYTHING that I am bringing with me (I'm allowed three 150 lb. bags. I figure duffles weigh less than suitcases so I can bring more). I decided to go for the used bags and ended up getting them for more than half off! I also found a dress for Rosh HaShana (which starts in a few hours) for 75% off. Today I went to Plato's closet and got a jacket and some accessories to go with it and a bathing suit (I only have one and I figure I'm moving to the beach) all for 20 bucks! I know I sound completely money and shopping obsessed, but being able to survive on a tight budget is important to me and I made some pretty impressive buys this week.
Speaking of Rosh HaShana, I am so excited for the next couple of days! Tonight is dinner with the family, and then partway through services I'm going to pick up my friend from Vandy so he can join us after his class. I know that it's going to be even crazier than when I had to answer questions about college, so I'm prepared to face the entire congregation one at a time, explaining over and over that I'm moving to Israel. Beyond that, I decided to direct them here. That's what it's for, right?!? Mostly I am in disbelief that next year I will be spending the High Holy Days in Israel!
Anyway, I am recovering from strep and still feeling a bit miserable from working and running around and getting stuff done! Time to rest up before the chag!

P.S. 8/31 Vols v. APSU 45-0
Vols are 1-0!