Our wedding website is now up and running! Gosh, I can’t wait to marry this man.
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Since returning from Israel about two weeks ago, I’ve been going back and forth on what to write about on my blog. A post like this isn’t something that just flows naturally–mostly because the emotions I feel are so much more than I can put into words.
Before I left, I said that visiting Israel would be a trip of a lifetime. I don’t even think that sums it up enough.
Growing up, I always knew that I had a connection to Israel. What that connection was exactly was always hard to define. I felt culturally connected through family traditions, summer camp and religious holidays, but the spiritual connection was always gray.
In just a short 10-day trip, that quickly changed. Every single activity that I participated in–from riding camels and hiking in the Negev Desert to visiting the Western Wall and other holy sites–showed me the religious and spiritual connection that I have to Israel.
It’s hard to believe that just 100 years ago, Tel Aviv was simply sand. Israel has come so far in such a short amount of time. The people are incredibly gracious, loving and welcoming. They thrive off the land and literally build cities out of sand dunes. I felt safer there than I do walking to my car in a parking lot in the United States.
Climbing Masada to see the sunrise, floating weightlessly in the Dead Sea, picking tomatoes in a desert greenhouse, baking homemade pita bread, visiting places that I’ve only ever heard about… The experience was truly indescribable. I was overcome with more emotion than I ever imagined I would.
The moment I returned home, I immediately said that I want to go back to Israel as soon as possible. I hope that I have the chance to visit again with my fiance, and again in the future with our children and their children. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to go and can now say that I have more of a spiritual connection to Israel than ever before.
Honestly, I still don’t feel like that accurately sums up my trip to Israel. I think the real way to understand is to visit the country yourself. So if you haven’t had a chance to visit, go. Trust me, you’ll be so glad you did.
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About 10 years ago, I signed up for an organized educational trip with high school students to visit Israel. It was something I had looked forward to for several years and the idea of going to Israel with my best friends seemed like such an amazing opportunity. Sadly, due to the Middle Eastern conflict, the trip was cancelled just a few weeks prior. Instead, we went on a European teen tour–which although was an incredible adventure, it just wasn’t the same. I’ve yearned to travel to Israel ever since.
Fast-forward to present day and in just 8 DAYS I’ll be boarding a plane for Israel. I’m going with other young adults (including one of my very best college friends) and we’ll be gone for 10 days. What’s on the itinerary? We’ll sleep in the Negev Desert, float in the Dead Sea, tour Jerusalem, Tzfat, the Old City and Tel Aviv, drink wine at the Golan Winery and raft down the Jordan River.
This is truly going to be the trip of a lifetime. Now, to packing…
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It has officially been three and a half weeks since the big move. The first week was filled with mass chaos–unpacking, shopping, unpacking, unpacking and more shopping. While there are still some boxes piled high in the guest room closet and pictures, mirrors and art are still leaning against the walls patiently waiting to be hung, I’d say we’ve made some serious progress. Success!
After week one, I headed to Austin for job training. Truthfully, the last thing I wanted to do after such a hectic week of moving was travel–but I must admit, it was well worth it. The whole company convened on ATX for a full week of intense learning, training and of course, some casual good fun in the evenings. It was a great way for everyone to get to know each other and the company on a much deeper level. There’s something to be said for strong company culture and after just one week, I was hooked.
Which brings me to week three–onsite, in the office, with the team. I was so excited to dive into this new adventure and I’m happy to report that I survived! It was a whirlwind of adjustment and learning but I feel more valued, empowered, challenged, inspired and motivated than I have in a very long time.
And the best part of all? I’m laughing, loving and living with the love of my life, and we’re settling in quite nicely.
Also, I’m back on the blogging bandwagon! So sorry for the inconsistent posting and hiatus. Now that things are calming down a bit, I can focus my time and energy on things I love and treasure most.
What’s going on in your world?
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It’s been one month to the day since I last blogged. You’ll be glad to hear that I didn’t fall off the face of the planet or lose my passion for blogging. Instead…
Friends, I have updates. LOTS and LOTS of updates.
Since the engagement, I’ve been busy looking for a new job. Last summer, my fiance moved to a new city for school and we’ve been playing the long distance relationship game ever since. And while it’s loads of fun, we decided that since he put a ring on it, it was time to shorten the distance and enjoy the engagement in the same city.
So the job hunt began–which I must say is not as fun as it’s cracked up to be. I sent countless emails, made many phone calls, networked like crazy and made the trek to and from San Antonio for in-person interviews several times–only to come up empty handed. It was incredibly discouraging. Every moment of my free time was either spent wedding planning or job searching and I felt overwhelmed, to say the least.
Despite some moments of complete and utter exhaustion, I did my best to remain hopeful and optimistic. I had four rounds of interviews with a company that I desperately wanted to work for. It seemed like the ultimate perfect fit and I was “waiting patiently” (i.e., heart racing, trying not to pull my hair out) to hear back from them.
Well I’m happy to report that I did indeed get the job and it’s an opportunity that I would be a fool to pass up–and I couldn’t be more excited about this new adventure. It’s a big change from magazine publishing and editorial work but one that I’m welcoming with open arms. Hooray!
Which brings me to my next update…
I’m moving to San Antonio this week! Having lived in Houston for the majority of my life, I’m sad to say goodbye to the place I will always call home. I will miss being so close to my family and friends but look forward to the many exciting adventures that this new city will bring.
As I close a chapter of my life that included a wonderful job, great proximity to family and friends, and a city I know like the back of my hand, I’m opening another chapter with the love of my life in a city that will grow to be our new home. Loui and I can’t wait to make the big move!
Thanks for bearing with me as I trust my instincts, follow my heart and make my way through all the moving parts of this journey.
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Taking chances is usually not in the cards for me. As I’m sure you’ve discovered by now, I’m a planner. A perfectionist. Someone who likes to have every single detail nailed down, engraved in stone. But I’ve come to realize that when you’re in a long-distance relationship, planning a wedding and figuring out your lives, there needs to be some give.
As much as it’s been killing me, there are so many what-ifs lately. And for someone who worries about every single thing, that’s really out of my comfort zone. Nonetheless, I’m learning. I’m learning to be patient and trust that things will (as they say) “all happen for a reason.”
Without getting into specifics, let’s just say that at the moment, I’m dealing with some heavy decisions and it’s really getting down to the wire. Big decisions will be made very last minute–and I just have to be okay with that, regularly reminding myself of the bigger picture.
This morning I came across a beautiful post by the lovely Lauren from Texas. She writes:
Through ups-and-downs, through struggling to get to the light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes straining to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Through fighting so hard we forget what it is we’re fighting for, and that we’re on the same side, then finally coming up for air only to realize that it’s all worth it to fall asleep every night next to someone who loves you in spite of everything and thinks you’re worth the fight.
This immediately resonated with me. In the midst of all the what-ifs, planning and small details, the “what it is we’re fighting for” is the most important thing. The logistics will work themselves out. The decisions will be made (even if they’re last minute). The plans will come together. The details will all get ironed out.
So no matter how anxious I may be at the moment or how nervous I get along the way, I have to remember the sweetest thing of all… I get to marry my best friend in 367 days. And that’s definitely worth taking some chances.
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