Oh it's on like Donkey Kong

A few more hours and the newest chapter in my life will begin.

It's been a rather difficult last week, the emotions have been on high and all the final planning have tired me out. However, with it all basically done and in the hands of my good old 'rents and future-in-laws, I'm relaxing at home awaiting the wedding.

It's been fantastic to see my family this past weekend - the happiness and warmth of celebrating a simcha all together has been wonderful. It was nice to spend some time with my father and mother talking about life and the upcoming challenges that await Talya and I. When I left them yesterday, it was as if I was starting to write the newest lines in my adventure.

De falto ke'noseya Marie, Simone, Thalia, Francois, Simon & Daniel.

Seeing my two living grandparents this weekend was great as always but it also saddened me to think that Nonnou and Granny aren't here to be with me. They were such incredible parts of my family's life and development and while I know I won't see them tonight, I know they'll be there watching over their grandson.

I prayed this morning at the kotel (Western Wall) and had the extreme honor of being blessed by Ha'Rav Mordechai Eliyahu at his house.

Until the next entry, I'm out ... It's time to get ready and enjoy.

עוד ישמע בערי יהודה ובחוצות ירושלים קול ששון וקול שמחה קול חתן וקול כלה

Blood Brothers

The Friday edition of the Jerusalem Post struck gold with an amazing article about our injured soldiers from last year's Lebanon war. Ethics of our Fathers teaches us that 'we should be happy in our lot,' and these boys display that with their magnificent attitude, despite the harsh realities they find themselves in today due to the injuries they suffered during the war. A few quotes from the article to show what amazing young men are serving and protecting our wonderful nation:

If I could go back three and a half years to when I was drafted, I would make all the same choices, even if I got hit again, because I'm proud to serve my country. I'm proud to defend it.
Roy Grilak

I was totally broken. All I did was lie in bed and watch TV with everyone around me sad and feeling bad for me and I kept thinking, 'I'm never going to stand up and pee again, I'm never going to make love with my girlfriend, I'm never going to run ever again. I cried for about an hour, which is extremely rare for me, and I looked at myself and realized this was the lowest point of my life. From then on, I decided it could only get better, and I started doing the best I could to get better.
Ron Weinrich

It's important to say that it is possible for [someone like me] to live an amazing life and be as happy as everyone else. Everything in the world is relative, and not being able to walk is not the worst thing.
Ron Weinrich

All my life I've wanted to be a combat soldier. We live in a country where the reality isn't easy. We're fighting for our existence, and I can't say someone else is going to do my work for me. I have to go out and do my part for this country, it's my responsibility, but it's also my privilege
Avshalom (Ashi) Erez

I was talking with Elad, and we remembered that in basic training we had said we were willing to take a bullet for each other, and so that night I told him I was still willing to take a bullet for him. More people joined our conversation, including Ya'ar, and we talked about the brotherhood and friendship you can only find in the army, and then a few hours later, I got shot, and they got shot trying to save me, and Ya'ar was killed. Later, when I was in intensive care in the hospital and couldn't speak, Elad came to visit me in his wheelchair, and I wrote to him asking if he remembered that conversation, and he started crying. The only thing that kills me is that he took a bullet for me - if I could, I would take all the gunshot wounds my friends got while trying to save me on myself. Because that bond, that friendship means everything to me. It makes it all worth it
Roy Grilak

Yossi!

Liverpool officially signed Yossi Benayoun, Israel's 27 year old captain, from West Ham yesterday. Benayoun will be the 3rd Israeli, following in Avi Cohen and Ronny Rosenthal's footsteps, to don the famous red shirt of Liverpool. How much playing time Benayoun will see for a strong Liverpool squad desperate to finally challenge for the Premier League crown is still left to be seen, but the talented midfield maestro will surely contribute when he's on the pitch. With the attacking creativity he'll bring to the last third of the pitch, Benayoun will add something to a Liverpool team which failed last year in too many matches to break down resolute defenses.

As an Israeli Liverpool fan, I'm excited to see how Benayoun will perform. Benayoun, who has continually proven his worth on every level he's played on, will now train and play with the most gifted squad he's been on to date. Time will tell whether he rises to the challenge or not ... Yalla Yossi!

The War on Britain's Jews

A rather chilling and frightening 6 part documentary by Richard Littlejohn about the ever increasing Anti-Semitic sentiment in England. This trend is unfortunately the norm throughout the 'enlightened' European continent. What kind of future, if any at all, is awaiting European Jewry?

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Not to worry, I'm alive

There are a few very good reasons to explain my disappearing act over the last few weeks. The first and most obvious reason is obviously the wedding. No don't worry, it's still on but with a few corners to close over the last few weeks, Tals and I have been working overtime to get things done. From getting the wedding rings to the taste test at the wedding hall to talking to the band, we've managed to finish almost all the tasks at hand. With only a few more little wrinkles to iron out, we are approaching the end of the preparations. It's been hard to define exactly what my feelings are right now, but all I know is that it's been an awesome ride so far (even with the few technical difficulties every once in a while on the roller coaster!). Bring on the big day.

Along with the wedding chores, Tals and I were also apartment hunting throughout Jerusalem. The rather unfriendly real estate market (high demand & costs) made the search rather difficult, but Tals really managed to find some fantastic apartments and we eventually settled on one a few minutes away from her grandmother. The new place has a really nice lounge, a small closed balcony (which we've made into a computer room), two medium sized rooms and the other 'basic' rooms. I moved in two weeks ago and have been setting things up even though I'm sure once the lady moves in after the wedding, everything will be adjusted! :) Leaving the old apartment on Kibbutz Galuyout has been both sad and exciting. It has been home since December 2005, the first 'steady' home I've had in Israel since I was a kid living in Ra'anana. However, leaving it ushers in a new chapter in my life and I'm eagerly awaiting it.

Oh well – that’s about it for now. Until next time, over n’ out.