Cats ... not Katz.

Holy Haitis, all, it's Thursday! In Israel, that means it's the end of a somewhat shortened week that still feels as if it was never going to end.

Let me ask you this: do you like funny cat videos? I hope you do because this Thursday I am extremely thankful for this video.

Mr. Glaser has a class on viral media and his task was to create a video and let it go viral. His topic? Cats in Israel (as opposed to an Israeli named Katz) and this is what he did with it...



If you're looking for something more meaty, head over to the other blog where I'm talking about sex and relationships. For now, just sit back, enjoy the video and please pass it around (he gets a better grade if you do!) - Happy Thursday! What are you thankful for?

Wordless Wednesday - Little Faces

Hi Ima (mom).

Check out my not-so-wordless Wednesday over at my other blog.

10 Money Saving #Wedding #Tips

Wedding season is back in full-swing and with so many friends and relatives getting married, I thought it might be a good time to dust-off some tried-and-true ways to save money on your wedding without skimping on the quality. It's been almost two years since Craig and I got hitched but I remember telling my friends the ways in which we were going to cut costs. Everyone thought we were nuts - until they showed up at our wedding.

Before you set out to save money, talk to your partner-to-be about what you want out of the wedding. Remember that this is YOUR day and it should be a reflection of YOU - but also keep in mind that the important part of the wedding is the bond you create as partners on that day. The party is just the icing on the cake but it's not the cake itself.

Money Saver #1 - do the decorations yourself. We live in the age of the Internet - you can find everything you need for centerpieces and table coverings online! No one needs to spend $10,000 on flowers - there are simpler and cheaper options that can look far nicer than a large centerpiece that will piss off your guests because they can't converse with each other. When all else fails - get ideas from Pinterest!

Money Saver #2 - be unique with wedding invites. Thanks to Etsy.com, there's a plethora of graphic designers out there who will design your invite for you for $10. There is no longer a need to go super-traditional and shell out $5,000 on wedding invites when you can have someone design something unique for you and have it printed for a fraction of the cost.

Money Saver #3 - cut down your guest list. This is the one area where people usually scream NO when ever I suggest it but every wedding we've been to has shown a plethora of people who a) don't want to be there and b) haven't spoken to the bride/groom in over a year. When looking at your list, have some foresight - will you still talk to this person a year after your wedding? If not - it's not worth the invite. People's feelings may get hurt but you want to celebrate your day with people who love you now and forever.

Source: chickabug.com via Barbara on Pinterest

Money Saver #5 - buffet it! In Israel, a serve-yourself wedding is the norm. We've been to a few weddings where we were served and it wasn't really great. The food usually arrives cold and, as a guest, you don't get to choose how much of something you want! Buffets tend to be cheaper but it doesn't always mean it's going to look cheap! Food is the MOST expensive thing you'll have at your wedding but it doesn't have to cost $120 a plate.

Money Saver #6 - use lesser-known photographers. Just because your best friend used Mr. Goldfine doesn't mean he's the BEST photographer! Sometimes the lesser-known people take better photographs because they WANT to capture the best of every moment. It's not just a job to them - your happiness means more clients. You can save a TON of money by using photographers your friends haven't discovered - so, ask around and search Facebook for photographers in your area.

Money Saver #7 - don't hire a wedding planner! If necessary, get a wedding coordinator but most places have someone in charge of your wedding day - so trust them to listen to your wants and needs. Another option: the best man and maid of honor should be able to make sure your wedding day runs smoothly. Make a list of things that need to happen and talk to them about schedules.

Source: weddingchicks.com via
Elizabeth on Pinterest

Money Saver #8 - DIY wedding bouquets and boutonnieres. You don't need to hire someone to do it - enlist your friends or bridal party the flowers together a day before your big day.YouTube has a bazillion videos on how to make these on your own and, I promise, if I can do it- so can you!

Money Saver #9 - use a DJ, not a band. I know, I know... wedding bands are HUGE in Jewish weddings but they aren't all the rage here in Israel. We've been to some weddings with HORRIFIC bands and, personally, I never understood the need for it. A DJ can do the same work without getting in the way.

Money Saver #10 - make the day about YOU!! I know that this was stated above but don't try to out-do your best friend's wedding because it only leads to financial disasters. Make your wedding a reflection of YOU as a couple. Some of the best weddings I've been to were the ones that didn't spend thousands of dollars on flowers but rather spent $100 table centerpieces that reflected the couple's style.

There are few things you should know that will keep you from being a bridezilla - your day will not be perfect. Some things DO go wrong. At our wedding, my mom and stepmom both had food poisoning AND we showed up late to our own wedding due to traffic. I also burst into tears and nearly ruined my make up upon arrival at the wedding venue. The point is, you need to ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES! If you're calm and relaxed, your wedding day will go off nearly hitch-free but if you are bossy and obnoxious, no one will want to deal with you (before, during, or after the wedding).

I know it sounds harsh but the lovelier you are, the more stuff you can get done for a fraction of the cost. Plus, your disposition will help you enjoy your day that much more!

Poker Night and Family Time

When I was growing up, Wednesday night was poker night in our house. OK, my Dad didn't let us play poker but he had a weekly poker game with his buddies and about once every six weeks or so, the game would be at our house. I LOVED POKER NIGHT! Again, not because I got to play but because of the food associated with it.

Unlike when my mom played mah jong and I wasn't allowed to touch the food - poker night meant M&Ms, licorice bites, and all the junk food I could handle. For a time, as a baby, I was passed around as the good luck charm. Now, before you call my Dad a bad parent, consider that he had three young girls and rather than call a babysitter to do the parenting, he stayed home and made sure everyone did their homework. Poker night also meant unlimited TV until bed time.

As I got older, I started to see that poker night wasn't really a night of gambling - it was a way for a group of grown men to socialize and de-stress.


Before you think this whole post is about gambling, I promise you - it's not. Well, it's not intended to be. I want to tell you one more thing: blackjack taught me to count. (I wish I was kidding) When I was younger, I would watch the show Crossfire with my grandfather. During commercial breaks, my Papa would whip out some spare cards and he taught me blackjack. If I counted to 21 properly and added my cards right, he would give me a penny. It may be the most unorthodox way of teaching a kid to add but it worked!

My other grandparents used cards as a way to get the family to interact. They played this game called kaluki - which is a version of rummy. I can remember sitting with my Bubba as she tried desperately to teach me how to play this game! My cousins caught on - even my sisters knew how to play but I never got the hang of it. Yet, when we would visit Florida, or go to their house for Shabbat dinner, the cards would come out and we had a nice bonding experience. 

Everyone has a different reason for why they like to play games. Solitaire keeps me occupied when I'm bored. My Mom found a sense of community when she played Mah Jong with the girls. My Dad had the cheapest therapy sessions of his life when he played poker. For whatever reason, these games are MORE than gambling - because money rarely exchanged hands. They were gateways and excuses to spend time with family and friends. For that, I'll always be grateful. A simple deck of cards brought me a lifetime of amazing memories.

What does your family do to create some family bonding time?

Save Stitchy from a Life of #Abuse

Yesterday, I read the most heartbreaking post about a dog named Stitch. Fellow blogger, Hollye Dexter, is going through one hell of a fight for a dog. Most people don't fight this hard to keep custody of their own children but Hollye is trying to protect her dog from going back to his original owner.

What bothers me is the courts are treating Stitch like he's a bicycle or a piece of jewelry. I understand that we 'own' dogs but would you send your adopted child back to an abusive home? Probably not. So why would you send an animal that can't really defend itself back to an abusive owner?

In my mind, you wouldn't.

In short, the story goes like this: the Dexter family legally adopted Stitch when he was given to the family by the mother of a teenaged actress who couldn't take care of him. At the time of adoption, Stitch was a one year old pup.They took him in, cared for him, got him vaccinated, and gave him a loving home. They even had him chipped. Within weeks, the actress' adult boyfriend filed a police report that the Dexter family stole his dog. In a gesture of good faith, they brought Stitch back to the actress' mother for safe-keeping until they cleared up the matter. The boyfriend took the dog from the house and disappeared.

Save Stitch!!!!

Two years later, Stitch was found in Nevada on the side of the highway- the Dexters were called. His collar had a disconnected number and the poor dog had cigarette burns in his skin. The family drove to Nevada from LA and brought Stitch home. The asshole boyfriend reappeared and started harassing the family. They went to court and played by the rules but the other side didn't. The actress lied under oath saying Stitch wasn't hers, he belonged to her boyfriend. The douchey boyfriend said he lost the dog about five times in Northern Cali and twice more in LA and also stated that the last time he lost the dog, he didn't bother looking for him because he figured Stitch would come back (idiot).

Stitch is a French Bull Dog - they can't survive in heat. They are the rare breed of dog that doesn't really go outside because of breathing problems and allergies.

How could ANYONE harm this face???

The story goes on but the end result is that on June 7th, the Dexters will learn if Stitch stays with them for good or goes back to the maniac. This case has gone through MANY appeals and the final verdict is on June 7th (I know it'll be a hectic day for us here in Israel but the Glasers will be sending out good vibes that day).

How can you help? Follow Stitch's story on Twitter, interact on Facebook, and GET PEOPLE TALKING! There are laws in Israel that protect animals from harm (we even arrest the assholes that abuse animals) but those laws don't really exist in the US. It's time for that to change. Hollye said it best

"Property doesn’t feel the pain of a cigarette burned into its skin. Stitch did."

What else did I do? I used my writing skills and contacted the following California State Senators: Sharon Runner, Fran Pavely, and Alan Lowenthal. THEY can change the laws! 

Embracing My Geek Self

Since going back to work after giving birth, I've gone through a myriad of emotions. I'm happy to be back in the swing of things but SO sad not to be with Yoav every day. I mean, c'mon, look at this face:

Tell me I'm not cute...I dare you!

It's hard to be at work when all I want to do is spend time with that little face. He's growing SO quickly! But HE is not what this post is about. This post is about me and how I've gone from hearing bad voices to accepting my post-baby body and mindset.

I used to hear voices and they would tell me "you're not good enough" "you're so fat" "you're going to be a terrible mom". Ever heard those voices before? All I kept hearing was "you're not worthy of anything". Lately, my confidence has risen dramatically because I've been working on the recognition of my self-worth.

Yet, those voices were loud and clear up until earlier this month. What changed? I started taking care of me. I started doing little things like reading for enjoyment; polishing my nails when Yoav is asleep; and I even bought two new kick-ass pairs of shoes. They were little steps that made me feel more human. I realized that for 90% of the time I was home with Yoav, I lived in yoga pants and gym shoes because it was "easy" but, guess what: LIFE ISN'T EASY! It takes effort to live the life you want to live! Even Hollywood beauties don't wake up so beautiful in the morning - it takes work to make them look like they do.

But that's all physical. To me, feeling good on the inside is an active choice we make. You have two options when you wake up in the morning - scowl and be pissed off a the world or recognize that it's a new day and be happy. I choose to be happy. What do you choose? Just like the physical aspects of our lives, the internal feelings take work. You an make a choice to be happy but to find something resembling inner peace, it takes work. Here's what I do to help find my center:

• When I'm in the thick of it and nothing seems to go right - I take a moment to sit, close my eyes, breathe and say "this too shall pass". I don't always say it out loud but I DO say it.
• When I feel overwhelmed, I get up and take a short 5 minute break to do something else.
• When I'm feeling sluggish, I put on some upbeat Motown music and groove to the beat ... as I get stuff done. 
• When I'm feeling down on myself, I repeat this:

I embrace my dorkiness...do you?

When Things Don't Add Up

So, I wanted to do a vlog today but the camera on my netbook wasn't working very well...it made me look like a badly dubbed Chinese movie. Yikes!

Today, Soulful Coaching's I LOVE MYSELF project launches and I am SO excited and really nervous! I spent a lot of working on the project for Joanna and part of me feels like I failed a little. I didn't get the numbers I wanted - and while the numbers of  participants look 'good' they aren't good enough for me...which makes me feel like I'm not doing my job well enough.

Ever felt like that?

I never really felt like this as a hair stylist but when I entered 'Corporate America' I started feeling this way all the time - and it sucks! It's definitely a paralyzing feeling and it can kill your entire week/month/quarter. It's what I call a 'Soul-Sucking Feeling'. I'm sure you can guess WHY I all it that. It sucks the life out of you and leaves you paralyzed.

In business, there are always multiple factors as to why we don't reach the numbers we want. For instance, I have 67 fantastic joint venture partners for Joanna's event and some of them amped up the volume on their social media but others sent out two or three tweets for the project in early May. It made a tiny (ok - itty bitty) buzz but not much else happened. Other people sent out emails to their communities - but not necessarily on days that would be 'high traffic' days. Yet, there are other factors involved. The day-long event is held on a Tuesday - is Tuesday the best day for an event like this? We will only know through trial-and-error.

From my end, everyone who told me what they could do - did it!  When I asked for more help, they responded with a YES! So, I'm not a total failure but I learned A LOT on what I would do next time ... and what I won't do.

The most IMPORTANT lesson I learned from this is how to shake off the negative feelings. When my graphic designer backed out (last-minute), I sprung into action and created the eBook myself. I literally gave told my negative feelings to f*ck off because I didn't have time for the bullsh*t. With a child who doesn't want to be put down and an eBook to put together, I did not have the time to mess around!

The next time your negative thoughts of "I'm not good enough" start creeping about - you have a choice to make. Prove them right or prove them wrong. I prefer to prove them wrong.

Try this...

Source: loseweight-safe.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Gothic Innocence Jewelry #Review and #Giveaway

I cannot tell how excited I was to receive a little brown package in the mail the other day - it was my pendent from Gothic Innocence! When I received my usual Karma Media email, I jumped at this opportunity because a) they're stuff is cool and b) they ship INTERNATIONALLY!!

How cool is that?!?!

Just a few days ago, I received this really cool pendent that is both a pin AND a necklace. I haven't tried to wear it as a necklace (none of my chains are long enough) BUT I bought a new dress for the Heseg event next week and I tied the ribbon using my pendent (below) as the anchor. I wish I had taken a picture but I was the only one home and with it being 10000 degrees in our apartment, I wanted to get out of that dress ASAP!

So, the pin itself is really lightweight and the green underlay REALLY brought out the white butterfly-lady (I have no idea what this is called). The only downside was that Cecil the dog found it to be light enough to run away with - he thinks it's a toy.

They have some really nice pieces of jewelry on their Facebook page - including a locket that I think my niece, Paige, would LOVE! Perhaps her Mom might light it, too...

Do you like what you see? You're in luck because you can WIN something from Gothic Innocence! There will be 17 lucky winners draw after the May 27th deadline (11:59pm EST!!!). Get crackin'!


Please fill out rafflecopter below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See what other Karma Media Members are up to:

I received this awesome piece of jewelry to review for Gothic Innocence as a Karma Media Team Member but the review and opinion are 100% mine!

Taxes and Negative Sh*t

I'm normally a VERY happy person but c'mon chevre (friends) - I can't be happy ALL THE TIME! I live in an odd paradise where it's sunny and warm for 70% of the year and just sunny 80% of the year - can't be bad, right? Well, as infuriating as this country can be, it also has something that is lacking in some parts of the US - FRIENDLINESS!

For the past seven weeks, I've been trying to get my taxes done through my accountant back home. That's right, seven weeks. That's how long it took her to get back to me to say "Sorry, I can't do it". She led me on for seven weeks. She said my taxes are "too complicated" ... so I turned to a nice New Yorker here in Israel. (He may not actually be from New York but he sounds like it) His name is David Brand and he's an awesome accountant. He did what my accountant was supposed to do in only 10 minutes. I spent 10 minutes with him on the phone and my taxes were basically done. I also asked if my taxes were hard and he said "not at all!" Apparently, since I don't own any property, have less than $10,000 in my bank account, and have no investments - my taxes were easy! Plus, I filed as married but separate.

After the balagan (think: mess) with my taxes was finished, I returned to my happy place and Yoav gave me a little reminder that even when I feel horrible and I feel like all I do is f*ck up, he's there to remind me that I did something right with my life.

In truth, yesterday was a hard day. Yoav was sick all day, our landlord had someone come look at the apartment (which meant I had to clean - like REALLY clean), and I had the I Love Myself Project to worry about. It was hectic! My day was filled with meetings and I wasn't even at the Optimax office! Yeah, I felt guilty about taking the day off but Yoav was sick and couldn't go to daycare. With no one to watch him, I had no choice.

Every once in a while, the negative thoughts creep in and here's how I handle it...

It's the truth ... and also kinda funny

                                                                            Source: Uploaded by user via Jeanette on Pinterest

• I repeat "I am not a f*ck up" several times
• I look for alcohol ... only to realize we don't really keep it in the house
• I look for chocolate ... and eat yogurt instead because don't really keep chocolate in the house either

But, for real, I repeat "I'm doing the best I can do today" over and over again - several times a day. If I let someone down, it happens. I'm not perfect. Sometimes a little yehiyeh beseder (it's all good) goes a long way for me.

What do you do to remind yourself that everything will be OK in the end?

                                                                  Source: spirituallythinking.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Since it's Thankful Thursday, here are three things I'm grateful for today...

• My new "project" at Optimax - I get to solve marketing problems and organize sh*t
• Craig's patience - he's busy as hell right now and he's still patient with me
• My parents - they almost always take my phone calls just so I can tell them how I didn't screw up that day

What are you grateful for today?

Rock the Kasbah...

(That song is in your head now, isn't it?)

The end is near - I can feel it! Friday we found out that Craig's visa interview is on .... JUNE 7th! Do you know what else is on June 7th? Yoav's eye appointment with his ophthalmologist at the hospital. While Craig is in Jerusalem being very nice to the consular general, I'll be in Petach Tikvah (it feels like a half a world away) duking it out with the eye doctor and some surgeons.

Talk about stressful.

In the next three weeks, Craig needs to see a doctor for a medical exam but the only doctor available for this appointment is in Jerusalem. He needs to meet with our lawyer so she can prep him. He needs to meet with his regular doctor to get a copy of his medical records to give to the consulate doctor.

Green Card - Can we get one please?!?

In the next three weeks, I need to get my taxes done (international folks have until June 15th to file their taxes). I need a letter from my employer stating that I am leaving work to go to the US in August. I may need a letter from Gratz College stating I will be starting my studies there. I need a letter from Joanna (the life coach) stating that I am working for her. I need my mom's taxes from 2011 and her i-864 signed letter.

Whew! Talk about a lot of crap to do! Hectic, right?

As an American, there are a lot of things I take for granted - like how easy I had it being an American. When we move back, we need to close all but 1 of our bank accounts; contact the local branch of our national social security association to find out how to pay taxes abroad to the State of Israel and find out what to do with our medical aid.

It all feels VERY real.

So, since I'm feeling the need to give back from all the good fortune I've been given, I'm going to list a few things I'm grateful for:

• My family - they are truly amazing and when you ask them to step up for you, they do. I come from amazing stock and I'm SO happy my son will grow up having the same kind of built-in community that I had.
• My Magic Bullet - now that I'm back at work, I start my day off right with a fruit shake. 
• My priorities - I have 'em set straight! NOTHING is more important than my family and that also includes my work family. I no longer believe in competition in the work place - we're all on the same side fighting for the same team but mess with one of my players and you'll feel my wrath. Still, family comes before work - even if that wasn't always the case. 

I want to know what YOUR grateful for today...

Matzo Ball of Nerves

I have so much running through my head that it's hard to get it all down on paper... or computer... but I'm gonna try.

First, I'm sorry for not posting more. Things have been hectic and every time I go to write something, I lose my train of thought only to come back to the screen and think 'who the hell would want to read this?!?!' So, I delete what I spent 20 minutes writing and move on with my day.

Second, I have to admit something - I'm nervous. There is literally SO MUCH going on that I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed and completely unmotivated. What's going on? Well, Craig has A CRAP LOAD of school work that keeps piling up and at the WORST time, too! He has about a month left until he's done with university and then he has another month of finals. Plus he has work. Then there's me... I start my day job again on Sunday. I've been gone for four months and I feel like I'm going to be so displaced and disoriented that I'm going to hate my first day back at work.

Did I mention my first day is also my first Mother's Day as a Mom?

...and it's Craig's birthday.

I'm feeling guilty and I'm filled with anxiety - all the things Amber Rosenberg warned me I would likely feel. (Amber's a really awesome life coach that works her magic with mommies like me - ambitious, enthusiastic, career-oriented, and guilt ridden that we are all three of those things.) Yet, staying at home is not an option because we can't afford it. Plus, I like having something to go to every day.

Still, I spent the week being both excited and nervous for next week. What a lovely way to spend my last week off-the-job and on maternity leave... I wasted it worrying about a job I'm going back to next week. Anyway, I also spent a few minutes crying today because I don't get to hold or cuddle with Yoav as often as I like. He's been really clingy today and I really enjoy it. It makes me sad that I haven't been able to do it more.

Now, add hormones into this mix and you'll have a recipe for one f*cked up new mommy. Someone pass me a cocktail... please?

To add insult to injury, little man has developed a new habit of crying for his pacifier in the middle of the night... multiple times. This leads to me getting up, giving it to him, and crashing in his room because I'd rather walk three steps to his crib than get out of my bed and wobble over to the next room 8 different times.

I'm a ball of nerves. I'm a matzo ball of nerves - slightly messy, soft to the touch, and easily broken into pieces. Yup, I'm definitely a matzo ball of nerves. I'm not so open about my feelings, I've been keeping them bottled inside for a few weeks - it's easier to let Craig vent than to add to his frustrations with my mess. But this matzo ball is over cooked...so there's my rant.

Deeeelicous!

I will say this: I am SO GRATEFUL for today and Yoav's clingy-ness. I needed it.

Hello Yellow Brick Road

"Any idiot with a computer can blog..." - wise words from my dad.

Any idiot with a computer CAN blog - my dad was right and this idiot (or dumb Anglo as one woman called me at the dentist yesterday) is going on a journey down the yellow brick road.

Hellooooo Emerald City!

I feel lucky. I have a great husband, two amazing dogs, and one little boy that I would die for. I'm not sleep deprived. I'm well fed. I'm happy!

Me being happy.

Are you wondering what's wrong with me? Absolutely nothing.

I generally have a really good outlook on life and I often roll with the punches. When you live in Israel, there are often a lot of punches to roll with. As an immigrant, I'm always feeling like I'm trying to crawl out of some kind of hole. I never seem to make enough money. I never seem to have enough time to do anything. And I always seem to be stressed.


But I'm happy. I'm a happy idiot.

See? Happy Idiot.

I'm not the first blogger to blog about the trials and tribulations of living in Israel. I certainly won't be the last. I'm honest when I tell people that, yes, we are moving back "home". Here's the thing, I feel stuck between two countries. There's the country that I often love (and struggle to survive in) and the country I was born in where my family lives. Sometimes Israel doesn't feel like home. Sometimes the US doesn't feel so home-y either. I hate visiting Detroit because I know, at some point, I have to leave and say goodbye to my family. Saying "goodbye" is the hardest part.


I've been called an idiot a lot lately...mostly due to our decision to leave Israel. "You're an idiot for leaving!" "You're just like all of the other idiots - you take, take, take what Israel gives you and give nothing in return!"

I do give in return. I DO! I pay my taxes. I give to charity. My husband serves in reserve duty. I gave birth to an Israeli child! I work hard in this country and I don't always see a happy reward for working that hard. I may be an idiot for leaving but I am not an idiot who takes without giving back.

There is a new breed of Olim (immigrants) in Israel. We're the ones who DID give and decide to move on. We stand as representatives for everything that's amazing about Israel. We leave for many reasons: financial purposes; higher education; family. But we do give back. Many of us pay our taxes abroad (which is more than I can say for some Israelis living IN Israel who DON'T pay their taxes). We keep our health care options open by paying monthly to a fund we may never use. We are representatives who will gladly tell you what living in Israel is really like without glossing over the bad parts but we relish in the good parts that make this place paradise at times.

We are not idiots.

As a happy-go-lucky American living in Israel, I can safely say that most of my Israeli friends would take my US citizenship in a heartbeat. I can also safely say that if my family lived in Israel, I would probably never leave.

I'm on a new path and I'm following the yellow brick road in hopes that I find the Emerald City. I may find myself back in Kansas (or, in this case, Israel) but I will be the happy idiot who enjoys the ride along the way.

Remember: life's a journey, not a destination.

Accident Prone Teeth

To say that I'm accident prone is an understatement. To say that my dental bills as a kid put my pediatric dentist's children through college is putting it mildly. Put the two together and you have my current situation.

My teeth suck.

When I was pregnant, I broke two teeth.

Three months post-birth and I can safely say ... I'm still breaking teeth thanks to Yoav. Seriously. He knocked his head against my jaw and I broke another tooth.

Thankfully, I'm REALLY into juices and smoothies lately because that's all I can eat until I get it fixed on Sunday.

So, in honor of my broken tooth, I give you my recipe for a feel-good fruit shake that's not just tasty, it's good for you, too.

Berry Nice to Meet You Melon Shake
1 slice of frozen honey dew (in chunks)
1/8 cup of frozen blue berries
1/4 pink grapefruit
A few frozen raspberries
1 small container of strawberry yogurt
1/4 cup of cold green tea

Take out a blender, combine all ingredients - blend until smooth. Drink up. If you want the shake to be more liquidy, add more tea.

There you have it - my savior of all fruit shakes. It's a great morning shake!

What's It Like Being a Whiny Anglo

A friend of mine wrote a post about her experiences in Israel. Her post was refreshing because as immigrants, we come here with blinders on. We believe that since we're Jewish, living in the Holy Land will be some kind of spiritual experience! Yet, reality sets in. For my friend, S, life here kind of imploded. She uses her writing as a way to deal with her feelings (because it's an awesome outlet). Her words didn't exactly bring her any comfort.

One commenter wrote that she's tired of the 'whiny Anglos' and told us to 'deal'. Well, dear reader, we are not whiny but we are Anglos.

Then again, who am I to talk? I'm leaving this country and returning home. After six years I've had enough. Everything here has been a struggle for me. Besides not feeling accepted, I can barely make ends meet on two pay checks. I got married here but my wedding didn't count because it wasn't through the Rabbinate office (so we got hitched in Cyprus). I couldn't get married here because I'm just not Jewish enough. Yet, if I ever want to get divorced here, I have to get divorced through the Rabbinate even though I didn't have a Jewish wedding.

Word.

Another commenter on S's post basically told her to stop blaming Israel for her problems. Why shouldn't we blame Israel? G-d forbid we criticize the country we live in!! Israel, unlike other countries, gets bashed left-right-and-center in the press but if one of us says one bad word about the country we live in, the inhabitants jump all over us! Ya know what?!? Some of our issues CAN be blamed on Israel.

Do I feel better about being a Jew living in Israel? No. Do I feel like this is easier? Absolutely not. I've had cartons of milk and stones thrown at me for not being dressed a certain way. I've been spat on for walking next to a man. I've been called a whore for being in the wrong area. All of this was done by my own people. One man once told me, while I was pregnant, that I was dressed inappropriately as I walked to work in Bnei Brak. In the four years I've worked in that area, no one has ever made a comment but my comment back to him was simple "it's a bigger sin for you to look at me than it is for me to dress this way - why are you looking at me?" He then spat on the ground and walked away. (FYI, I was dressed in a dress that hit at my knees and my shoulders were completely covered)

I once wrote a post about what it's like living in Israel - because I get a lot of questions about living here. My post explained the bittersweet feelings most immigrants have. I have a great inner-circle of friends, some great family members, but this place doesn't always feel like home. I love that the receptionists at the dentist ask to see pictures of Yoav and I love that the lady at the local ministry of interior office brought over three other women to say a mi sheberach (prayer for the sick) when I told her about Yoav's ptosis. But I don't love other things about this country and I believe those things should be worked on. Using Israel's security as an excuse for not putting more money towards other things is just that, it's an excuse. Two Holocaust survivors in my building can barely afford their lives here. They lived through hell once, then lived it again when they came here. Now that they are in their 80s, the live on cheese and bread. One neighbor dumpster dives in the early morning when he thinks no one is outside.

Life here isn't perfect - life anywhere isn't perfect but we all need an outlet to vent our frustrations. I commend S for voicing hers. She made it public where many people keep it bottled up. She should be commended, not tormented.

Whiny Anglos ATTACK... with blue and white baseball bats.