Monday, January 29

Where do we find ourselves?

My premedical postbac applications are about complete, Vanessa & I had an awesome run around the country, I've enjoyed a few relaxing days in Tel Aviv and Yaffo. Yet things feel... unfulfilled?

You probably have ready that, yesterday, Israel suffered its first suicide bombing attack in months and months. It happened in Eilat, a resort town lodged on Israel's Red Sea coast, killing three plus the bomber. This bombing was Eilat's first, and local authorities issued a high alert. Some friends and I were planning to drive down to Eilat for a week starting tomorrow. So now I'm mulling over alternatives.

My ambulance tour with Magen David Adom starts in a couple of weeks. Understandably, they want me to learn the Hebrew words for things like "tongue" and "liver." Less understandably, they also include "Do you feel wetness?" on the to-know list. No idea where I'll be posted yet. They could place me in Jerusalem, Haifa, Ashkelon, Bethlehem... MDA likes to hide this stuff until training. I can't remember which cities I requested when I enlisted in this program last year, so I figure I'm in for a surprise.

I can't believe I'm flying home in two short months. SEVEN month out of NINE -- Done. Any friends reading this, you'll be welcome to crash @ V's and my place in DC come April. Just give me advanced notice, if you can.

There are lots of photos to post, but I'm working off a buddy's machine. Look forward to some pretty sights after I settle in with MDA in mid-February.

I have no revelations, insights or dreams to share today. Just a sense of waiting. The next and last step of this journey is almost here, and after that... I'm home, with plenty still to sort out.

Suprise Visit

Hi. I am writing from home. It's unexpected, I know.

News came in that my dad would undergo a sudden heart bypass just before Christmas, and I was able to catch a flight a couple of days afterwards. So instead of my folks visiting me, it's reversed. These things happen. At least I got to fly business class.

The big thing to be grateful for this New Year's is the health of my mom (cancer) & dad. More thanks that my dad's docs discovered his blockage by tests and not, say, a more consequential indicator. Since the procedure he's been doing great: he was able to come home just four days after the operation, and he's started to really watch what he eats (with mom's help), plus he's walking around more each day. As small as these things may sound, they are so imporant for his full recovery -- hopefully in 6 months. Thankfully the biggest hiccup has been me breaking my dad's toilet -- accidentally -- while tring to fix it. I am preparing for years of jokes. We're all praying for a healthier 2007... and writing our Democratic congressmen to make sure we get it.

Flying home felt like a weird dream. I remembered fast how North America and the Middle East are separated by more than distance. The snow covering Canada's northeastern tip, not to mention the forests and winding rivers that followed my plane all the way to Washington, were breathtaking. We have so many natural resources that Israelis just don't. It's easy to forget. Then there was the land itself: We have so much! Almost 12 Israels would fit into England... and 440 into the US. Add another 23 Israels into the US if you count our inland waters.

Sadly, I have had to devote tons of time here to postbac apps. Writing a short personal statement is the pits. (Law schoolers, get my drift?) But I've also gotten to spend lots of time with my family & friends. Seeing Vanessa before her journey to Israel this weekend has been particularly excellent. We are gearing to have a Blast next week, traveling all around the Holy Land.

I am a little nervous for the parts that come after that. There is a lot I will need to accomplish, application-wise, and even more I want to see before beginning my ambulance service. And I've never traveled like that before. I just hope the weather's nice.

OK, peace until next time. Happy and Healthy New Year: If you don't have your health, you have nothing.