The Plan @ 78 days and counting...

I just realized I hadn't updated the blog with my general plan. I had talked about the options but never put the plan in writing. I guess because I've discussed this part with many of my local friends I didn't realize I hadn't put it in the blog.

Living Arrangements - Upon arrival I will be staying at the Ra'anana Absorption Center for up to 6 months. I will be taking intensive Hebrew lessons (5 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 5 months) which are offered at the Absorption Center, so I won't have to deal with getting to and from class each day. I'm not sure how quickly I start after I arrive, but as quickly as possible. When I am done with Uplan (the classes) I will then move on from there. My plan is to find a place in Jerusalem for a year after I leave the Absorption Center. I decided that if I just moved to my more permanent location then I'd never really experience Jerusalem. So, I decided I'd live there for a year take in what the city has to offer, and use the time also to better determine where I want to be long term. I still like the idea of the beach, but I'll always leave my options open based on life. For my year in Jerusalem, I'd love to find a place in the Old City, if I'm going to be in Jerusalem I think it would be even more meaningful in the Old City. So we'll see what I can find when I am ready to move.

Wheels - As parking is a premium at the Absorption Center and Jerusalem and even more so in the Old City, I have decided to get a motorcycle until I move to a more "normal" living arrangement. If the weather is bad, I can always ride a bus, take a cab or a sherut. If I need to take people with me I can always rent a car for that specific purpose. Once I have a place with real parking then I'll get a car again.

Another interesting thing about this year

I recently was wondering when my Hebrew birthday would be this year. So, I went to an online calendar to determine when I was born as I didn't know what my Hebrew birthday was. Well it is the 24th day of Tammuz. I then checked this year's calendar to see when it would be so I would know when to celebrate it in Israel. Well, guess what, it is on July 16th, which is my birthday on the Gregorian calendar. I was curious as to how often they actually occur on the same day. I haven't found a perfect answer other than it's not super common. I calculated every birthday since I was born and this year is the first time they have occurred on the same day since I was born and the next time it will occur will be in the year 2020.

So, as I was born so many years ago on the 24th of Tammuz, this year I celebrate my birthdates in Israel as a new Israeli, an oleh chadash, on the same dates, for the first time in my life since my birth. I find it interesting that without this knowledge I picked this year to make Aliyah.

Confirmed! Arriving July 7th - טו בתמוז

Well I haven't posted from the office before, but today was a little more exciting and I didn't want to wait until I got home.

I just received my confirmation e-mail from Nefesh B'Nefesh. I will be on the flight leaving from JFK in New York on July 6th, arriving in Israel on July 7th!

My kids will be driving me to New York and I am hoping to make a stop in Philadelphia for a short drop in at the FJMC International Convention and get to say quick hello, good-bye and come visit to a bunch of my Men's Club friends from all over North America.

I'll write more on my excitement later, but had to post something while the information was fresh.