Driss-A-Blog

I didn't have to meet Big Avi until 4pm, so I got my Israeli swimsuit on (serves me right for forgetting to pack one) and caught a cab to the beach. I drank plenty of water, and pretty much relaxed for a couple hours, soaking up the sun and reading my book before heading back to the apartment to shower and get ready. While I was at the beach, Auntie Clara called me and let me know that the mikveh stuff started at 6pm, but since I hadn't known what time it was scheduled for, I said I'd meet them at dinner afterwards.

I caught a cab back to the apartment, and I guess I had caught the cab driver as he was going to take a break to do what I did - relax at the beach and go in the water because the day was so nice. I told him to go back, but he said it was too late now. Felt a little bad, but hey, he made money.

Anyway, I got ready to meet Big Avi, but I knew that I'd be going straight to dinner afterwards, so I kept that in mind. I met Big Avi at 4p at the mall and he drove us back to Nordiyya. We got there at 5p and Yuval was in b-ball practice, so we watched him for 30 minutes til he finished. He's 11 now, and I last saw him two years ago. He's so great.

I'd never been to Big Avi's house in Nordiyya so this was a real treat for me. It's a gorgeous place and they have a huge aquarium with all sorts of fish and ugly creepy crawlies in it (e.g. shrimp and crab). I saw all of Mirav's artwork and it is GORGEOUS. She hand makes all sorts of things, like hairbrushes, figurines, tables, etc. I LOVE it. I also gave Yuval the gift I brought him (a Tigers hat and t-shirt and a Pistons hat) and talked about sports a little.

We called Mom from Big Avi's phone line while Yuval was showering, and it was great to hear her voice. We caught up a little and then when Yuval was ready, we went for coffee and dessert at this little place in Nordiyya. Yuval helped me choose which dessert I wanted (life is uncertain of course) before dinner, and we all enjoyed and talked and talked.

One of the things I love best about visiting with them is talking to Yuval. Not only is he a sweetheart, an adorable, brilliant, and extremely clever and charismatic kid, but he helps me with my Hebrew. Whenever I talk to him (since his English isn't so great), my Hebrew JUMPS by leaps and bounds. By the end of dessert, when Mirav showed up (big hugs!), my hebrew was rockin'! I took pics of their whole family, with me and Yuval, and with Big Avi and Yuval. Yuval and I have decided to be penpals and chat with each other. I'm very excited. There's also a possilibity that they will all be coming to the States on a special trip for his bar mitzvah in two years. I told Yuval that if he wanted to stay on, he could stay with me and that I'd take him around to all the great places (including, of course, Cedar Point, New York, and Central Park). :D He's just that fantastic.

We talked about technology, what was going on with everyone, and muuuuch more!

But unfortunately and fortunately - feeling so torn by wanting to stay and chat more with the Shohats (miss them so much!) and wanting to meet up with the Gabas for the dinner - the time had come. Ilana had called me to tell me where they were having dinner, and Big Avi and Yuval drove me back to Herzliya and the Arena Mall (in a car that has no key, only a "smartcard" where you stick the card in and push a button). (!)

I met up with my family for dinner (got pasta pesto) and chatted with Amira and all the ladies there. Since it was mikveh night (and Ilana got attacked/sprayed with perfume and pelted with candy hahaha), it was all ladies. We ate at Cafe Joe's and were there til about 1030p. It was so nice being around all of them again, and I met another cousin, 5 year-old Roni, who is just so adorable and sweet.

I got into a little trouble when Auntie Clara's sister found out I was staying in Herzliya and it wasn't with her, but I promised that we'd all stay in touch and I considered her family just as much as her sister, and that the only reason I wasn't staying with her was because I was staying with my close friend, Hillary. That let me off the proverbial hook. By the way, Auntie Clara's mom ROCKS. She is so great, sweet, and awesome to talk to and be around.

Amira and I were talking about family members and family videos that they have, of Mom and her dad when they were little, of our grandparents (whom Ari and Amira don't remember), and how great it is that we have these memories on film. Amira said we could make copies of everything and that it would be a great idea for us to have a family movie time where we could all sit and watch. I suggested Thanksgiving since we're all getting together then anyway.

I have never felt more close to the Gabas more than I do right now. I feel so lucky that I'm here, that I'm sharing this event with them, but I really feel like, this is my family and I love them so much. I have no family closer than them genetically, but emotionally, this is just amazing for me right now.

But I digress - we all piled into the mini-van and Auntie Clara drove us all home. Apparently, they were pretty impressed with my Hebrew (thanks to Yuval) and none of us could wait til tomorrow night and the LOADS of sephardi partying that will be going on! Julie and I are sharing a room for the night, and the wedding starts at 7pm. Amira said there is going to be amazing food (heehee) and a LOT of dancing. Julie and I already decided that we are going to bring our swimsuits for after the wedding finally ends - I foresee very little sleep tomorrow night, so I'm going to finally head off to dreamland now.

P.S. Mom - Auntie Clara's mom says hello and that she loves you. :) She wishes you were here and asked why you weren't... I answered best I could for you, but made sure she knew that you loved her, missed her, and were thinking about her.