10 observations on 10 years in Israel

Today marks 10 years since I landed in this country. Here are the first 10 observations that popped into my head about this day….

10. No articles of clothing in my rotation were bought in this country. I don’t know if I should be proud or ashamed.

9. At no point did I consider translating this list into Hebrew. My Ulpan teachers would be so proud.

8. No tzabarim (native-born Israelis) will read this. Ech omrim “Anglo bubble”?

7. I still think this looks like “Pant Steak”.

6. I considered live-streaming a “flash mob”-type celebration at Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Absorption) with balloons, music, signs, and more. Because I’m still part American, I tried to get permission beforehand to avoid the possibility of getting eaten for breakfast by security. They never got back to me. Why start now, right?

5. I am celebrating at a cafe rather than a bar to mark the fact that since landing, I have imbibed 87 times as much cafe hafuch as alcohol. As it should be.

4. My first cell phone bills, before smartphones, were over 600 shekels per month. Were they bundled with my arnonah bill?

3. The “why you want to live here?” reaction that Israelis greet us new immigrants with? It disappears at some point. As if they’re waiting to see if you’re serious before deciding, “I guess you’re actually here for a while.” (They stop switching to English as well.)

2. Even if this list could have been better with more time, I have learned to embrace a well-placed “yiyeh b’seder” (it will be okay). Because it probably will be.

1. Some things can’t be overstated. Ten years is worth celebrating!

Once an oleh, “Still an Oleh”
Click to see the freier gadol (big sucker), larger size