My body is here in the west, but my HEART lays heavy where it belongs in the EAST... :-(

     Well, it has been almost a year to the date that I left this place I've called home ( Cleveland), for a place I have loved and only dreamed about (even though I had been there before) calling my home being in Israel. Right about now I would be doing last minute packing stressing out and wondering what would be. It was honestly one of the most emotional few days of my life. But once I landed and met up with Erez, with my new friend Marc, it was a great feeling to know that this was the beginning of one of my greatest adventures in life. One the not only brought together things from my past experiences there but one where I made new one's.

    It was a time that I will never forget. I got to see Family, and experience the joining of a new addition to the family at a ULTRA ORTHODOX WEDDING. along with the most amazing reconnection ever with old friends, who I miss dearly even to this day. The adventures that I was able to take all over the country were some of the best and most memorable, from meeting the potential future Ambassadors who came here to Cleveland, to Atlit where my first experience in Israel came around full circle and gave me closer of the experience of the true Israeli. To getting possibly the opportunity of a life time focusing my leadership skills and creating possible future ventures at BFL.

     It has equally been nice to see old friends from Israel here, and making new ones. With everyone from a friend who came across country to make a stop here and hang out,and seeing a sister of my best friend ( Shira Finkelstien,one of David's sibling) who I hadn't seen in about 15 years (unfortunately the curse lives on the finkelstiens know what I'm talking about hahaha), to making new ones in musicians on tour. And finally hopefully next month I get to see an old neighbor from Ramla, which would be awesome. But see there is still something missing... There is still a heavy emptiness inside as if my heart is truly not here...  

    It is 6000 miles away in a land far far away... Israel... and it lays heavily and strong in the promise land. Its crazy, i can clearly picture myself walking from the villa all over Ramla and the scenery as it whisked by on the sherut (special taxi) , bus, or train, as if i was still there. Its like I can still feel the pavement under me, the sight of the most beautiful flower bushes as I walked down the alley. To the most amazing scents over taking me in the shuks. To the sounds of the people shouting to friends or family asking if they are home or telling them to come home! to the most beautiful sound of Jews praying at the kottel on shabbas, and the calling of the Koran and to prayer from the masques.

   My heart is there and it is screaming for me to return HOME. My heart weeps and cries for my return to the promise land. My life is there! MY CALLING IS THERE!!! sigh my plan is to go back this time I hope for good. yes I know the struggles for the most part that I may and will likely face. Life will not be easy there. But it must be done... It is who I am it is only a matter of time. My hope, is by late spring/early summer of next year. At least in time for my Best friend ( Practically a brother to me) David's wedding. That is my dream, my ambition, my one and true passion... The promised land... So as we always say at Passover, NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!!  

ME AT BEN YEHUDAH                                                   ME AT THE WALL PRAYING

MY NEW FRIENDS AND PRACTICALLY FAMILY,

year in review

ladies and gents it is officially 2008! Happy New Year to one and all!  This is a very special entery today. This entery is a retrospective of the past year of 2007. A look back at a year of love, accomplishments, adventure, and a look into the future at what could be. This year was a year to be proud of when it comes to this family. This year I got to see both my brother and my sister graduate, Jacob from high school, and Shira from Miami of Ohio Univ. I must say I'm very proud of you two, you both have accomplished so much, and your futures arre very bright and strong. I'll admit I am jealous/admire the both of you for what you are doing and the success you both have. It is stuff I have yet to fully accomplish! I love you both and I am proud to call you two my Brother and Sister!

     This year was a pretty good year for me I have to say this year two dreams came true found someone I love and made it FINALLY to Israel! But lets start with the first thing love! In early March I met the love of my life Laura Goodman! We met and started talking online through Jdate but it took her a year to actually to actualy contact me even though I myself contacted her 4 times prior. She was initially hesitant to contact me because she saw my profile "Oklahoma1" and thought "Oh My God a Musical freak!" no no no I'm not a musical freak yes I do like musicals and kinda like the musical Oklahoma but i Chose that SN becuase of well the obvious! I'M FROM OKLAHOMA! After her actually reading my profile she saw I was pretty interesting and the rest is history as we like to say! Its been tough we have been together for about 10 months now 5 physically together and 4.5 with me away so it depends on how you want to look at it! we've either been together for 10months or 5 hard to really say! I love her to death she's a wonderful woman and has shown me a lot of what it truly means to be loved and in a relationship. granted it has been a very rough begining with me being away we have had our fair share of issues and what not. But we have fought past them and WE are still going strong! i love her to death and would go to hell and back for her. which i have basically. Laura thank you for standing by me during all this I know for the both of us its very tough. and well We both have had our issues and what not. but we've held it together! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. for everything! i'm almost home! I miss you!

        Also this year as I have been in beautiful Israel! Finaly a dream come true granted yes I have been here 3 times before I havent really "lived" here persay until now.. for those who don't fully know I have been here on a 5 month volunteer program here in a little nothing much town called Ramla (not to be mistaken for Ramala), doing various things from tutoring in english, to helping in a elderly center teaching them how to use the computer playing card games and what not. I also helped in a after school program tutoring in english and doing various other activities with them. I loved it very much. and I've had other fun experiences here everything ranging from, volunteering on a army base to being here for the high holidays, and chanukah (in jerusalem at the wall!) I also had the chance to go to various fun programs like BFL Building future Leaders. A leadership program where they had us create program that could be done here in Israel and back home, what ever that may mean..  Doing this program has definitely changed me in many ways. I have definitely noticed a new sense of maturity, and responsability come out of me. a sense that I can do things for myself. I'll admit I'm still struggling believing in myself and having the confidence that i can succeed. Do I feel like I have accomplished anything here? Yes. it has been hard to really tell initially but yes I can say I have. and I can't wait to transist back home and try out the new and improved me.

       This has been a pretty decent year to say the least. a year of firsts! first love, first taste of true independent success, first taste of any success if even a tiny bit. I would like to thank my parents and my grandparents for giving me such a great oppertunity to experience this fully possible, I love you all. Laura thank you for standing be me and supporting me as you have. i know that it has been a rough few months and we have made it work. I love you very much you are my heart and soul. I couldnt have done this with out you. I'm almost home. I can't wait to see everyone and tell all the stories i have to tell. and show you all the great memories and pictures. i love you all! till next time! PEACE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! ZAC!