Me, Dandush: me with myself and my thoughts...: One, first, 1

1st of July 2012…1st year in Israel. And what a year!

Left Romania on June 30th, landed in Israel on July 1st. New month, new life.
If last year I was putting down my thoughts before making the big step, time came to take into account how I feel now. Honestly, if this post was written last week, it would have probably be different. But here in Israel situation changes so quickly that I’m still trying to grasp it. For good and for bad. But then again, it’s all for the best. 100%.

So time has come to talk about what it was and what it will be. So many ups and downs, so many surprises, good and bads, so many “yeeys” and so many “bassa”. So much excitement, stress, anxiety, laughter, love, happiness, sadness, hope, dreams. All in all, life. As it should be. Just sunnier. One thing is for sure: I still think I took the best decision in a dark night when I said to myself: “u know what? The crazy idea of moving to Israel is not so crazy. Let’s go for it!” All the “what if”s that followed, all the “but maybe”, they still are there, and it’s ok. But I’m proud. Of taking the chance and still going with it. I’ve been asked so many times why did I make alyia. By people back in Romania, by Israelis here. Reasons are to be written in another post, but I know I did the right thing. I still miss Romania. I still miss home. The other home. Cause now, this is home. As I write, I don’t have one, it’s still a house waiting to become a home. Soon.

So, I’ve divided the things in 4 categories. Feel free to compare the two lists. As I said one year ago, “The order is based on my mind’s algorithm and is under no circumstances exhaustive.”
Let’s see:

Things I’m thankful for

The feeling of unity of the Israeli people around the release of Gilad Shalit – it brought such an almost palpable national pride and joy
Friendliness of the sellers – it’s as if I’m buying from my cousins, uncles and aunts. Everybody is calling me metuka(sweety), neshama (soul) and ialdonet (little girl). I choose not to be disturbed by these but to enjoy it.
Dragonu rosu – kind of shops in Florentin. The ones that sell almost “only” en-gross but they will make an exception every once in a while.
My sister- I have no idea how I’d have survived throughout this year without her. She’s my safety net whenever I fall. She’s my best friend and my closest relative here. She’s the one that gets phone calls at 3 am when I’m in pain and she’s the first I call to tell I got a job. She’s the one that laughs the most at my jokes (what can I do if they’re THAT good?). She’s the one that openly tells me I’m dumb (when I am…) but also that I’m too good for that guy (oh…music to my ears :)). She buys me cake and milk every Thursday and shampoo as if I’m the poor relative. I have no idea how we managed to go one year without having huge fights (or I know: cause I’m a great sister, that’s how!) and how come we get along so well. But we do. And this makes me happy.
My brother in law and the car he gives me to drive from time to time, whenever I need it. And the fact that he asks me 10 times if I locked the doors. And the fact that the first moment I cry over something he tells me to come home to “lefanek” (spoil) me.
The fact that the event of the week is Talia not using diapers no more (and how she announces it and everybody needs to go witness the “event”)
Having the sea 20 min walk from home – the ongoing feeling of vacation when driving on the tayelet, as if I just landed yesterday in my regular Israeli vacation.
My “bus buddy”. Then no more bus.
The most multitasking drivers ever – give you change, drive, give directions, remember to tell you when to get off, all at the same time. And most of them speak English. Dare you to find this in Romania!
Low beaurocracy sometimes- e.g Misrad Hapnim.
Work at Soluto
“Cine e?”(who is it, in Romanian) asked by Eytan, my 4 y o nephew whenever I knock on the door. And hearing Talia answer before I get to: “Dana, Dana, Dana”
Talia calling my name whenever I’m not there and she’s crying.
My parents’ support although they would want me back home
Salsa in Tel Aviv and feeling perfectly ok to invite guys to dance and not getting rejected. Oh, and of course, almost always more boys than girls, so what can be better?
Feeling of safeness all over Israel although we move in a home where one of the rooms is a bomb shelter.
Having dad update me on a weekly basis about events in the Romanian politics, although I’m not interested. But if it makes my dad happy, why not?
With its ups and downs, still being able to organize Machol Romania and appreciate after it was over what a good event that was and not wanting to admit I love being there although the before part is taking its toll on me and my sanity:)
“My” bus driver.
Friends back home keeping in touch
Owning and playing "Ticket to ride". By the way, long time since…so?
"New Market" just off the old apartment. And how close it is to the new one.
Rogalachim and not getting bored of them.
Ambulant fruit seller in Givatayim.
Tranzmate. A phone application sent from heaven. (tells you the exact time left until the next bus comes in any station- taking info from the buses’ own GPS). BLISS!
Hot Israeli men. They have their flaws (what? They’re not perfect- I know, I was bummed too) but for sure some of them are hot.
All the Ulpan friends- such a cool group. Quality people with same dreams/ideas/wishes as mine. Felt so good to meet them. Not in touch with most of them but always love to meet them here and there.
Finding a job all by myself. From scratch. Even two. And going strong towards the third.
Getting so surprisingly well along with religious girl-friends. Some great insights got from them. But no worries, I’m still not religious.
“The best cover letter ever. It’s the one thing that got you the job”
Teaching salsa in Ulpan. One of the best experiences ever. And the feeling of accomplishment on performing in front of all the ulpan and its teachers with 7 great persons (and now dancers) that never danced salsa before. (the show is up here)
Nice people. Wherever I meet them.
Understanding that if he’s wearing a kippah, he’s probably too religious for me. ;)
A certain wish/advice/blessing I got from one of the best teachers ever (from Vienna). I carry it with me and will let you know, Dr. Kigel, when it happens;)
Patrick Bruel concert with my sister. I didn’t organize it but it was a dream come true. I felt like my childhood hero was singing for me only. We were the only two non native French speakers in the amphitheater but to sing along him his best songs…and then to be pushed by my sister to get his autograph…even now I have the biggest smile on my face.

Things I still need to get used to

Being fast enough as to stop the shawarma guys not to put thina or hummus on my shawarma
Israeli guys (and that says it all)
Everybody wanting to be a matchmaker – “I know someone you should meet”
Being a grownup and paying bills
Fast pace of change of a situation
Not all Israelis being good guys and even more,
Succeeding at making the difference
Remembering to lock some doors (not at my own apartment, that I know:P)
Being the youngest one (by far) in Israeli dancing sessions. And not caring. And not caring there are so many couple dances. Too many.
Reading the offers in Hebrew and buying and using vouchers
Apartment search. (although I hope not to do this too soon)
Not waking up before the alarm clock because of worries of not hearing the alarm
Pickup bars. Or maybe they’re just not my thing. Yeah, I guess the later one.
Being more hutzpanit. And not taking things personal. Aaarrgghh…
Not being so naïve.
Bad customer service. E.g Cellcom…yuck!

Things I miss from home

Celebrating big events with friends live not through the phone
Raspberries, cherries and tomatoes. All Romanian. Fresh. With taste
My cosmetician
Rollerblading in the night (although I now have my rollerblades here so, who’s ready?)
Maria’s food and spoiling- this is a biggie. I dream of having her here.
The Romanian cheese. Anybody coming from Romania any day now?:)
Talia restaurant with friends
Hora dancing with Hora group. Performing, rehearsing, fighting, laughing, dancing. Anything-ing.
Not worrying about housing. Nothing. Never. And still having a place of my own
Orange movie (or not paying 8 euros for a movie)
Knowing where to buy anything from, where are the best deals, and who to ask for info.
Auchan
Cuddling with my parents. And asking my dad if he loves me and getting ALWAYS the almost instant answer “No” but smiling cause we both know the truth. Oh, wait, we still do that.

I’m looking forward to

3/3 ALL AT ONCE. Do you hear me? All at once.
Using the chance of being so close to the shuk more
The prince on a white horse. Or any color. Or forget the horse. See? I’m not THAT picky
Celebrating Yom Haatzmaut in Israel
Finding an oldies club in Tel Aviv. Or anywhere
Welcoming my parents in my new home.
Using more Hebrew. And getting to understand more. And reading better. And writing (neah, this won’t come this year)
Welcoming friends on our couch
Parties by the swimming pool. Late night swimming. Any time swimming.
Seeing what's behind Exhibit A
Living in (another) great apartment and affording it.
Not being the whitest Israeli ever - aka getting some tan – not really gonna happen, I know. So…
…Not being told I’m the whitest Israeli ever every now and then
Adopting a bit the Israeli mentality. Just a bit. But keeping the “cultura”
Being able to read subtitles in Hebrew- I have a feeling this will be on my to do list for another 3 years or so
Going more often to synagogue. I sometimes miss the holiday spirit although the holiday is everywhere. Or maybe because of that.
An amazing job that will give me fulfillment
Reenacting the Taglit reunions. I made a pledge to keep these and haven’t. But will get back on track.
Getting along great with Amir and David, my future flat mates. They are great guys so it should be all good.
The (much) better versions of Ionica, Gica and their buddies
Dancing on the beach
Writing a post like this every year until I celebrate 50 years in Israel. And then a bit more.
All in all, continuing to make it big, in Israel!