"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.” – Hilaire Belloc

      Tonight feels strange. In a good way. I am going to Israel tomorrow. It's probably a good idea to start packing now. The weather is going to range from 30 to 80 degrees...so it may be tricky to pack light. It snowed in Jerusalem yesterday...and it's going to be spring weather in Tel Aviv. Hmmm....interesting. By the way...Israel is smaller than New Jersey. 

"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.” – Hilaire Belloc

     This quote really touches me. Ever since graduation...I feel as if I've been wandering...distracting myself from "the real world"...what does that even mean? I know what it means...It means working 40+ hours a week, never seeing daylight, and not having time to eat lunch. I don't think I will ever get used to that. When the time comes, hopefully I am working 40 hours a week doing what I love....napping...eating...cooking... yoga  (I'm allowed to dream-leave me alone). Anyway...ever since I lost my full time job...I've been procrastinating to look for something new..or at least make some sort of decision. 

     Birthright is a trip where I can go to Israel for 10 days....ehem for free. Yes, for free. They are covering my flight...hotel...and food. What the flip? I would be stupid not to go. I am traveling with 20+ strangers. I am going to see sites that are about 3,000 years old. So much history...so much beauty. Oh yeah, I get to ride a camel and float in the Dead Sea. 

     I was born into a Jewish family, but I barely know anything about my religion. My friends call me a "Holiday Jew". Religion scares me. I avoid it. My philosophy is to treat people how I want to be treated; and if there is a Heaven, I will qualify. Due to the fact that I am a philosophy minor...I am programmed to question everything. 

     I think it is extremely important to understand my religion and other religions as well. I owe it to my great grandmother, Oma (who lived to be 101) to understand my religion. She lost her entire family in the Holocaust...they died because of what they believed in. Oma, her husband, and daughter (my grandmother) fled to America and that is why I am alive today. I am so blessed to have met three of my great grandparents. 

     Almost finished packing....but my adorable kitty won't let me zip up my suitcase. I am allergic to him. When I pet him, it looks like I was punched in the face because I get so swollen. But I love him...so it's worth it...sometimes. 

     Am I nervous to travel with strangers? Nope. I love talking to strangers. Sorry parents, I can't follow all of my childhood rules. K bye.