Positive shots

More of the Rally to Restore Sanity

2010-11-19T03:02:00.000-08:00

Washington DC - A Rally to Restore Sanity

2010-11-19T02:24:00.000-08:00

Visiting Washington DC to participate

in the Rally to Restore Sanity organized

by Jon Stewart was an exhilarating experience.

Man and women from all walks of life, all over

united states came with a similar mind set and

purpose, to restore

what seems to be the missing/absent sanity

during this election period.
The media kept showing the angry Tea Party people

shouting and yelling as if their laud

voices somehow will make them being right.

Their anger, even legitimate anger, gave them somehow the permission to ignore the facts, ignore the history, and allowed them to just repeat the same mistakes all

over again.

We were together with around 320,000 people. They all

gathered together on a few blocks along Washington mall. It took us an hour to walk from the hotel to the mall, a walk that should have taken just half the time
because so many people were walking to the same destination with us.

Still, all were so polite, so civil to each other, so happy in a way to find

each other, to know that you are not alone.

Sadly the exhilaration feeling faded away pretty quickly when we heard the election results. Well it seems that insanity won, at least what I think as insanity. It is amazing how the atmosphere have changed in tow years. The one light point in the whole election day was our state of California where Barabara Boxer and Braun won. We will see how the political weather will be in the

next few years.

A New Baby Boy was added to our family!

2010-10-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

Eitan joined our family on August 18, a birthday present to Ivan and Dalia (both almost at the same birthday date). He is the first baby boy I have ever had, I am used to baby girls only. Eitan is so cute, by now he already smiles to you and looks at you. Dalia calls him EiTAN in English stressing the TAN is an American accent, but simple Eitan in Hebrew.

Welcome to our world Eitan! You have a wonderful family all around you. We are all so lucky to have you, and you are lucky to have the warmth and love of your family all around you.

Celebrating with Mindy!

2010-08-09T01:54:00.000-07:00

Mindy's 60th celebration! At Santa Ynez winery

2010-08-09T01:51:00.000-07:00

Mindy's 60th birhtday! Another reason for celebration at Santa Ynez winery

2010-08-09T01:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Dalia

2010-08-09T01:15:00.000-07:00

Dalia was very happy about her birthday, and wanted a special Mermaid decorated cake which will be lemon and strawberries cake... Well, mom Ayana managed to fullfil all of Dalia's wishes. It was it had a mermaid, and an ocean, and even sand and sea shells; and it was lemon and strawberries cake! It was also very delicious!

When the neighbor aske Dalia how old she was, Dalia said "almost three". This was actually true, as we celebrated it a bit early this year. But that is not the point, it was her three year birthday! When Ayana told her that a birthday means that she is actually three, Dalia ran all over the place with joyful announcements "I am three everybody! I am three!"

It is funny to watch how aging makes the little ones so happy, and as we grow older we wish we still stayed a year younger. I will refuse to announce another age in my life even a day before my birthday... The little ones are probably right. Every year we have is a celebration!

Dalia is three years old!

2010-08-09T01:02:00.000-07:00

It was Irit's 60th birhtday and I stayed with Dina and her family. Israel and Gail came from NY

2010-08-09T00:21:00.000-07:00

I came to celebrate Irit's 60th birthday; Irit my childhood best friend. I stayed with Dina who opened her home to me, and made me feel like a true friend. I loved her family especially little Rachel that adopted me as part of the family. The birthday celebration was beautiful and exciting. I spent also a few days walking all around Washington DC with Israel and Gail, and sometimes with Dina too. New and old friendships are warming ones heart...

Visiting Washington DC on 4th of July

2010-08-09T00:16:00.000-07:00

Visiting the Botanical Garden in Atlanta GA with Julie - on a business trip

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Julie and I at Martin Luther King home, and Martin Luther King and his wife Coretta grave

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Atlanta GA - Visiting Martin Luther King childhood home, church, and neighbourhood. The murals are displayed across the street of the old church

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Dalia is having a good time at our garden, and is trying on a new dress

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Julie and me on a business trip at the Jefferson hotel in Richmond VA

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Visiting Richmond VA - Pretty shoking to me. In Monument Ave. a large monument to Jefferson Davis the Confederacy President and the monument writings

2010-08-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

The visit to Richmond VA made me face for the first time, the demons of the USA past. The politics of the south was not foreign to me, but I guess I never understood the deep roots of the past, and how deep they penetrated and are still rooted within the people in that area. The confederacy is not a matter of the past, it is very much present today.

At the hotel, when we asked for tourist attractions we were directed to the Monument Avenue. "You will find there the monument of the president" we were told. I naively thought that we were directed to Washington's monument a native of VA. However, we saw no Washington monument, instead the largest monument was for Jefferson Davis the Confederacy president (not a USA president), and as one can see from the writing and the people emotions, he is very much THE president in Richmond. We also visited the Confederacy White House in Richmond, and the sign that explains all about the place to the tourists today, calls the Federal army "The occupying Federal military forces". This seems to explain the deep resentment I constantly hear about on the news against anything which is federal and against the enforcement of the federal law to supersede the power of the states law.

It was pretty ironic to see a shot time later in Washington DC another monument commemorating the victory of the Federal forces over Richmond... I can see how this monument must infuriate people from the south even today.

Napa Valley - Beauty, Wine and good food. A place for all your senses

2010-08-08T23:12:00.000-07:00

Golden Bridge and San francisco as seen through the Golden Bridge. It really looks golden at night, doesn't it?

2010-08-08T22:59:00.000-07:00

Beautiful San Frnacisco - visit to Hava and Uzi

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Ayana and Tali - Two lovely women

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Lena is one year old! and she has this special cake she is just eating and walking all over it!

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Sweet Yossi enjoying the wild flowers

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I did pretty well hiking all day in Yosemete 6 represents my age...

2010-08-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

My Birthday in Disneyland

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My 60th birthday in Disneyland "The happiest place on earth"

2010-08-08T22:33:00.000-07:00

Zion National Park

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The beauty of nature at Yosemetee Park

2010-06-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

My 60th Birthday a Real Celebration

2010-04-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year - Best of 2009

2009-12-31T02:53:00.000-08:00

2009-11-19T21:57:00.000-08:00

Victoria - Government building at night time

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Victoria

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1. Government buiding

2. Empress hotel

Yossi and I, with Joan, Paul & Adri

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More of Vancouver

2009-09-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

Look a bit tired after a long day

2009-09-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Vancouver and Victoria BC

2009-09-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

Night is falling over Vancouver

Below are pictures from Kitsilano Beach and Granville Island.

Just came back from Vancouver and Victoria (on Vancouver Island). We flew to Seattle and took the ferry from Anacomb through San Juan Islands to Sidney and from there to Victoria.

Victoria has a European flare. Old Victorian homes, beautiful government buildings that are illuminated and look glorious at night time. You see water everywhere you go, and the beauty and serenity of the boats along the long shores are pleasing to the eyes.

I was really impressed by the Anthropology Museum, it is just magnificent and actually much larger and more informative then its counter part in Vancouver (although I will recommend the one in Vancouver also). The American Indian as they are called in the US, are called here in Canada the First Nation people. Thinking of it, I think it is much more appropriate name for them. They are not shy in Canada to tell the whole truth and the entire truth (as far as I know) about the history and abuse of the first Nation in canada. I was amazed to see the beautiful art of crafts of the first Nation in both museums and all around the places we visited.

We visited Butchart Gardens which is a MUST for every visitor to the island. I love botanic gardens, and any garden, and I have seen a lot of them. This one, I must say is one of the best! There are so many annuals which is a lot of work to replant in every season, but it creates a carpet of colors. Of course Daliahs are my favorite (my father's favorite, and a large collection of it, and Dalia is named after the flower). There where loads of daliahs everywhere in every possible color and shape. It so happen (and I chose the day) that the day we came to visit was a dancing party day! and we went on stage, and danced and danced as much as our hearts wanted. Ignoring the fact that all others around us were trained ballroom dancers...

We stayed in a beautiful B&B in Victoria a few minutes walk to down town. No, we didn't have tea at the Empress hotel, too expensive for our budget, but we went to see the room, very pretty indeed.

We took the ferry back from Nanaimo to Vancouver. The road is beautiful, and on our way we stopped at a small town called Chenaimus which has beautiful murals. At the visitor center we hired a guide, which is really a woman actress who told the history of the town as she went along the murals. She was great, I don't recall her name but if you are there ask for her. She told us that the town was on a verge of being a ghost town in the 80s during the former economic bad times. They have decided to use their "stimulus package" money at the time for the "outrageous" idea of telling the story of the town through murals. They wrote to many known artists in the world, and they came... The town is now full of tourists even in these bad economic times, which proves that thinking out of the box, and even bringing art (God forbid), can solve sometimes the economic stress.

Vancouver is a big city, with large sky scrappers, lots of traffic (we drove on Georgia an Howe streets for hours...), water everywhere and very beautiful. Apart from down town, there are many neighborhoods that are much quieter and don't fit the above description. We stayed in Kitsilano in a beautiful B&B not too far from the beautiful Kitsilano beach (which is a must at evening time). It is also not far from Granville island which has a fantastic market, and beautiful arts and crafts stores (I loved the place). Breakfast in a B&B is the fun-nest time of day. The breakfast in the place was good, nothing special, but the guests were from all over the world. We really connected with an Irish couple who came to visit their daughter who lives in Vancouver. We talked for hours with them, forgetting sometimes to go on the trip... I know all about the Irish history (almost all...) from the Protestants liberal point of view. By the way, we met there several canadians who were all mad that their health Care system is being bashed right now in the US media.

A mixture of nature and urban beauty you can see at Stanley Park. Walking along the sea wall has many magnificent views points (all together around 9 km, however, you can drive in between and walk a portion of each section).

There are many other hiking places. We hiked in Lynn canyon (it has a long suspension bridge, although not as long as in Capilano) and at the Lighthouse Park on the West side. I must say, I was pretty frightened to walk in more remote part of it, as the signs warning of bears were everywhere... I was told to make myself look big if I encounter one, I thought ot myself, I gained some pounds in this trip (the food was way too good) but I didn't think I was big enough to frighten any bear... I came out all right, as you can see(read)...

Family pictures

2009-09-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

1. My grandfather Itchak, my mom Mathilda, Herman and Sally

2. My grandmother Tzilah with Herman and Sally

3. Grandmother Tzilah whom I neven knew, murdered by the Germans in Riga

4. Grandfather Itzchak whom I never knew, died in Vienna prior to WWII. Here he is dressed in the Austro-hungarian military uniform as he fought for the Austrians in WWI

More of Dalia's birthday pictures

2009-09-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

Dalia is Two years old! Happy birthday Dalia!!!

2009-09-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

Brit Bat - Naming Ceremony

2009-06-01T23:18:00.000-07:00

2009-06-01T23:16:00.000-07:00

2009-06-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

Naama Greg and Lena

2009-06-01T22:59:00.000-07:00

2009-06-01T22:57:00.000-07:00

Lena Matilda - Welcome to the world!!!

2009-06-01T22:51:00.000-07:00

Lena was born on May 16 2009 to Naama and Greg. A beautiful baby girl was born 7.5 punds and 20" long. She brouhgt joy to everyone around her. My lovely second granddaughter.

Uzi and Hava came to visti from San Jose CA

2009-04-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

2009-04-12T20:57:00.000-07:00

First Roses

2009-04-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

Spring time

2009-04-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

Spring at our home - Our little garden of Eden

2009-04-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

Wonderful childhood friends - Hana Irit and me

2009-03-02T22:27:00.000-08:00

Night is falling over the Hudson river

2009-03-02T22:25:00.000-08:00

Manhattan viewed from Brooklin

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Brooklin Bridge

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2009-03-02T22:21:00.000-08:00

Views from the Brooklin Bridge

2009-03-02T22:20:00.000-08:00

Central Park

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2009-03-02T22:15:00.000-08:00

Central Park

2009-03-02T22:14:00.000-08:00

Views of New York

2009-03-02T22:12:00.000-08:00

Gail and Drek join us for Humus in a middle eastern restaurant prior to the Opera show at the Met

2009-03-02T22:11:00.000-08:00

Irit, Hana and Israel at a Eastern European restaurant eating some childhood yummies

2009-03-02T22:08:00.000-08:00

My Trip to New York

2009-03-02T21:53:00.000-08:00

I flew to New York to meet with my close childhood friend Hana who came from Israel and Irit who lives in Manhattan. We stayed with Irit and her husband Derek, and went all over New York for 8 days. I really didn't know what to expect, but I must say this trip was a life time experience. I can't even express the warm feeling we all felt toward each other, as the childhood friendship re-appeared and was dressed newly with maturity and older wisdom. We were going around town enjoying the views and the tastes of this beautiful city, while stopping for hours to just talk, go over old time memories and trying to fill up the gaps of time passed.

Once in a while Israel, our highschool friend joined us and so did Derek and Gail Israel's wife. It was the friendship that really rulled and mattered more then anything else. It was the friendship that shapes this beautiful trip to its reall essense.

Catching Ayana for lunch on a small break from her rehearsals

2009-01-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

One, two, three - lifting Dalia up!

Christmas time at Laguna Beach

2009-01-11T13:04:00.000-08:00

A Day out with my friend Edith to celbrate her birthday and enjoy our friendship

Christmas at the Dorothy Chandler Auditorium

2009-01-11T12:57:00.000-08:00

Every year we go with a bunch of friends to this show in Down Town LA
So many wonderful dancers, singers, and performers with so much talent!

2009-01-11T12:31:00.000-08:00

2009-01-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day at Connie and Ollen's home

2009-01-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

Having a great time with the family

Thanks Giving dinner table at Mindy and Julio's home

2008-11-29T13:14:00.000-08:00

Two beauties at the wedding

2008-11-28T22:18:00.000-08:00

2008-11-28T22:16:00.000-08:00

A face you can't resist!

2008-11-28T22:11:00.000-08:00

Tali and Jocee got married in California pre proposition 8 - Congratulations!!!

2008-11-28T22:08:00.000-08:00

2008-11-28T22:04:00.000-08:00

2008-11-28T16:58:00.000-08:00

A day on the Beach with Dalia - Winter is arriving soon

2008-11-28T16:53:00.000-08:00

2008-11-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

This is the email I received from Brian my cousin in England:

ISRAELI MOMMA-YA OBAMA WINNER-MAGIC MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY..

DEAR TIRZA,

GOD BLESS AMERICA, NEXT THING TO HAPPEN, A CHINESE JEW IN THE WHITE HOUSE ,NOT AS A CHEF, BUT AS PRESIDENT.

TODAY WE HAVE CROSSED AN INVISIBLE LINE WHERE THE WORLD MUST RESPECT AMERICA, A VERY YOUNG COUNTRY, HAS TURNED ITS BACCCCCCK ON YEARS OF PREJUDICE,Y EARS OF RACISM,Y EARS OF INTOLERANCE, TO SHOW A TRULY WONDERFUL RENDITION OF TRUE DEMOCRACY!

IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THIS BRAVE AND NOBLE STEP BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL RESULT IN MOVES TOWARDS PEACE, AND ATTEMPTS TO MAKE OUR WORLD A SAFER AND BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN!

WE SHALL SEE,AS ONLY TIME CAN TELL,

TODAY HISTORY MUST HOLD ITS BREATH AND SUPPORT NEW IDEAS, NEW POLICIES,AND A NEW OUTLOOK TO THE FUTURE.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL,

LOVE,

BRIAN

Jubilation on election day in Nevada

2008-11-08T17:03:00.000-08:00

Obama was elected and we helped him - Volunteered in Neveda

2008-11-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a most exciting day, a day I that made me feel so proud to be an American!

We drove to Nevada Monday night November 3rd and received training about our jobs on election day. We got up at 5 AM to be at work at 6:30 AM (imaging me getting up so early in the morning...). We were poll watchers. Our responsibility was to record all the democratic Party members that voted already, and inform the field station (there were many field stations all over the city of Las Vegas and obviously all over Nevada). The idea was to systematically update lists that were provided to the people who knocked on doors verifying or nudging potential voters to go to vote. At the field station there were additional volunteers waiting with cars to drive people to the polling place if needed. There were two other polling watchers at my polling place, and four, yes four additional lawyers (all volunteers). At our polling place there was only one Republican lawyer, and no Republican polling watchers.

In the afternoon, we went to knock on doors ourselves, using lists that other people used already several times (checking again all the "Not at home" people). It seems like nothing was left for a chance, and plenty of volunteers to do the work.

At 7:30 PM we went to what we hoped will be the victory party for all the volunteer workers. It was held at the Rio hotel in Las Vegas at their largest hall. All the parking lots of this huge hotel were completely full when we arrived. We tried to use the valet service, but they were full also! We finally found a parking space at another hotel and walked over. The huge hall was so full (this was a party for volunteers only) that they opened additional hall for the over flaw... We made it to the grand hall which had one huge screen and tens of smaller TV screens along its walls. People were standing by all the screens and as announcements were made that Obama won an additional state a roar could be heard. When it was announced that Obama got over 270 delegates the room was in a complete jubilation. People jumped, hugged, kissed each other, yelled, and cried. So much emotional feelings in one room you felt this is beyond anything you have felt, this is making history! It was wonderful to see the faces all around: Whites, blacks, Chinese, Latinos, Jewish, Christians, young and old. When we found out that Nevada was won the jubilation started all over again with a big roar and chanting "Yes We Can". The contrast was so amazing when suddenly the entire room was quiet when Obama made his speech. An older couple who was standing next to us told us "He is a Mensh!". After a while we went around the hall and talked to various people. One woman introduced us to her older father telling us that her father was a diplomat during Clinton's time to the UN, and "today he knocked on doors with me" she told me.

When we left we saw how the entire hotel became part of the party. People yelling, chanting and singing along the hotel corridors and into the casino. The workers of the casino came out and yelled with them including some half naked waitresses who joined the crowds all excited too. A black woman around my age shaked my hand and said "Its about time!"

I know that the economy is still lousy, that we are still in Iraq and have problems with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia and more is coming. I know we still have energy problems, warming climate issues, and medical expenses. But Obama gave us all so much energy and hope that things will be better in the future, and the world will be a better place to be.

Yossi Celebrating As Obama is elected

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Having fun with Dalia by their home

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A day at Santa Monica Beach - The Pelicans flight

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Yossi's Birthday October 30 2008 - A Day at Griffith Observatory

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Beautiful Dalia

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Orchides - At the 4 Seasons hotel Thousand Oaks California

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Flowers

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A day at the Getty museum

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Yossi and Nathan, Ayana and Dalia, Naama and Greg and his grandmothers

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Family and friends at the wedding

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Naama and Greg Got Married May 25 2008

2008-10-18T21:18:00.000-07:00

Naama my beautiful little girl got married to Greg whom we all fell in love with. It was a beautiful love story that swift my kid off her feet, and brought her all the way back to Los Angeles. The wedding took place at the Los Angeles historical museum and was very unusual as is expected from Naama. No white wedding dress but a beautiful vintage dress instead, no wedding cake but great pies instead. We had the best barbecueand had the bips to protect the fancy clothes. Here are the words for the wedding show Connie (Greg's mom) and I did at the wedding:

(To the tune of sunrise sunset)

Tirza: Is this the little girl I carried?
Connie: Is this the little boy at play?

(Both)
We don't remember growing older
How did they?

Tirza: My girl was always such a beauty
Connie: My boy was handsom and so tall

(Both)
Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small?

(both)
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Naama and Greg our lovely kids so bright
Fell in love with each other at first sight
___________________________________________
(to the music of You say potato and I say potahto)

I say Ahava (love), and I say I love you
I say Neshika (kiss), and I say I kiss you
Ahava, Neshika,
I love you and adore you
Lets NOTcall the whole thing off

I say meturefet, and I’m mad about you
I say meulefet, and I faint without you
Ahava, neshika
I love you, and adore you
Lets NOT call the whole thing off
______________________________________________

(do you love me from Tuvia hacholev)
Greg, Do you love me?
Do I what?
Do you love me?
Do I love you…
I fell in love at first sight
I dream about you day and night
I flew across the country to get you here
If that is not love, I don’t know what is it my dear?

So you love me?
I love you so, I do
And Greg I love you so much too

Naama, do you really really love me?
Do I what?
Do you love me?
Do I love you…
I fell in love at first sight
I dream about you day and night
I drove across the country to get back here
If that is not love, I don’t know what is it my dear?

So you love me?
I love you so, I do
Naama, I love you too
____________________________________________________________

(Both)
What words of wisdom can we give them?
How can we help to ease their way?
Now they must learn from one another
Day by day

(both)
They look so natural together
Just like two newlyweds should be
No one is happier for them than we

(Everyone)
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

One day at the Getty's museum with Yossi

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More of Israel

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Our friends and us in Israel

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Sunset in Israel

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Israel visit April 2008

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Israel visit for me is going back to a place in my past and a place in my heart. I realize suddenly that half of my life now, I live outside of Israel in the US, but that place is so special for me.

The views, the smells, the vegitation, its fruits and food. Talking your mother language, and viewing an Isareli theater. Listening to the music, even as it comes out of the appartments at evening time. Being with my close friends, and feeling the warmth of the friendship. Lastly, the Mediterenian sea. Watching it morning and sunsets, walking along its shores collecting shells (kept at my bedroom), swimming as I used to swim in the past...

The pictures are kept in my mind. Each one is drawn back out when I am too tensed to fall asleep. The pictures are a source of my strength and part of my own being.