"I know you've lived in Israel, and I know you live in NYC now. I also know your parents live there, and you and your husband both have family in Israel. I also remember something about you going to school in the U.S....right? So, I've always wanted to know...what's the time line of where you've lived in your life? Which place were you born? Which years did you spend in the U.S. and which in Israel??"
Answer:
Well, I was actually born and raised here in NYC. My parents, both from Israel, came here in the 70's and my brother and I were born here.
Now, my mother is one of 7 children, and my father is one of 9 children. This means I have an insane amount of family that lives in Israel. This includes 14 aunts and uncles from my mother's side, and 20 cousins (ranging from age 30 to the age of 2). My father's side includes 16 aunts and uncles and I would say 34 cousins (ranging in age from 52-18). So lets just say... we are quite the unique and diverse group (now you know how I managed to have 400 people at my wedding!). With everyone living in Israel, we travel to and from non-stop. I have been to Israel every summer of my life.
We actually moved there in 1996, when I was 16 years old, but decided to move back to NYC after a year.
On one such trip to Israel, I reconnected with my now husband (which most of you know, I have known since childhood). He was born and raised in Israel. We had somewhat of a long distant relationship for a while, until I decided to study abroad in Israel for a year(this was after his ultimatum of either we're together or not). I studied in Bar Ilan university in 2004, and once I was done with my semester, my husband came to NYC to live with me- where we have been ever since.
My parents are the only family members in the US. So chas- my parents actually still live here in NYC and have since the 70's.
I am sure that we will no doubt move to Israel once my husband gets his degree in mechanical engineering. He is studying here, and with a degree from the US, he will no doubt be a candidate for a high paying job once we return to Israel.
It's not easy for me though.
I have always felt that half of me belongs in the states, while the other half belongs in Israel. When I am in NY, I long to be with my family abroad. When I am in Israel for an extended period of time, I miss the US so much.
I have dual citizenship and speak Hebrew fluently (with a bit of an American accent and some linguistic mistakes). I never quite feel like I belong anywhere 100%.
The only reason that we are considering moving to Israel is:
1) Being from the US and speaking both languages, gives you an advantage on the job front- which will no doubt lead to high paying, quality jobs. I have quite the resume when it comes to companies that I have worked for, and I am sure that I will receive a much better position if I move.
2) Having a good job, will mean we will be much more financially stable- and everyone in Israel pretty much gets a mortgage. The homes there are not as expensive as the homes here- which means we will be home owners if we move. The price of homes in my area is insane! 600k for a run down 3 bedroom??!! I want to own a home. We currently live in an apt- which I never wanted to live in once I had kids. I want my children to be able to run around and play outside in the yard (much like my husband did in his childhood).
3)Our family is there. You definitely feel alone on holidays, birthdays and special occasions. I missed out on having family while I was growing up in NY. I don't want my girls to go through that. And I am also 100% certain that if we move, my parents will too.
Those are the primary and basic reasons. The culture is so different though and is
somewhat hard for me to wrap my head around. People there are WAY too into everyone else business, while Americans are more private. They say whats on their minds- even if they hurt you.
But you take the good with the bad.
somewhat hard for me to wrap my head around. People there are WAY too into everyone else business, while Americans are more private. They say whats on their minds- even if they hurt you.
But you take the good with the bad.
Question 2
Kerry Lynn asks:
I have a question for you. Do you always smile with your mouth closed? Any particular reason? Don't get me wrong you look beautiful the way you smile but I was curious.
Answer:
I actually discussed this with Chas the other week. I never smile with teeth. It all started when I took kindergarten pictures. I smiled with teeth. When I saw the pictures, I was horrified. I always had a gap in my front teeth, but never realized how bad it looked- and I was 3 years old! I vowed to never smile with teeth. The funny thing is, the gap wasn't so large- that is until my permanent teeth came in and I looked like a worse version of David Letterman! The gap was so large between my front teeth, you could fit another tooth in between!
That only reinforced my smiling with my mouth closed. I did eventually get braces which corrected the gap. It didn't close it completely, which is why I got it bonded last year. I finally don't have a gap btwn my teeth! My husband said that my charm is now gone-he loved the gap I had. I didn't.
On my wedding day, the photographers were screaming to me to smile under the Huppa while I was getting married! They even screamed "Smile with teeth"! you can hear it on my wedding video!
I was steaming mad. Then, right before we were introduced for our first dance, the photographer said to me, "Now, smile with teeth"! I grabbed his arm, looked him in the eye and said "If you ask me that one more time, I am going to have to kill you". I think he got the hint.
Me: Not smiling with teeth getting my hair done on my wedding day:
Me: In mid-twirl, not smiling with teeth:
Me: Under the wedding Huppa wanting to kill the photog to the left.
To sum it up, my face looks weird when I smile with teeth. It makes my nose look large, and it makes me look like a clown. I can't explain it, but it will frighten little children- my husband agrees, so I know I'm not crazy.
Starting to come up with many more post topics- but if you have any topics and or questions- bring them on!
Today's letter is T for teeth, use them while you still got them!
8 comments:
Great pictures :-) I never smile with my teeth because they are yellow (probably damaged because my mom had high fever when she was pregnant with me) and people always ask me if I smoke (I don't & never even tried).
You get used to living in Israel. (I moved here in 1985, so I've been here a while.) The culture is, as you said, very different though & it was great for me to be in the US (for 4 days) last summer, after having been away for 13 years.
great pics. I am usually just a lurker.
OMG I want your hair! You have such beautiful hair!
my hair in those pictures was purely extensions my friends.
I think you need to learn to embrace your smile. It's who you are. There is nothing ugly about a smile.
Great stories.
When I said " I also know your parents live there"...I meant "there" as in NYC....I know they live there b/c your mom is your full time baby sitter, lol. Thanks for clearing all that up. I really never imagined that you've never been a full time resident in Israel. Very interesting. You will be sorely missed here in the U.S. once you leave. Hopefully, I'll get up to NYC before you guys move so we can let the girls meet!
I find it funny that you were asked the same smile question as me...how coincidental! I read your last comment, and I must say that just b/c you smile with no teeth does not mean that you're not "embracing your smile"...it's just the way you smile....and I LOVE it! You are beautiful!!
Was the gap in your teeth like Madonnas? I LOVE gaps in front teeth, I think they're so exotically beautiful!!
I have seen pics of you without hair extensions ... you still have luxurious hair.
Finally someone who understands about the "no teeth" smile. Whenever I smile with my mouth open I think it looks awkward and bad but people always say, "you should show your teeth". Glad I'm not alone.
Beautiful photos btw.
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