Designing a Better Immigration Experience

The following is a post I wrote for my design blog. It is a critical, unapologetic look at some of the design flaws in the Aliyah system. Just some mind you. I have been told (more than once) not to look at these things and think how to change them, or that my enthusiasm for change will wane. While these people may be right, I am not looking at the system through the eyes of an optimist, but rather through the eyes of a designer. It is a different kind of thinking all together. There is a reason this was posted to my design blog first...

The State of Israel is unique in that if you meet certain criteria you can gain citizenship immediately upon arrival in the country. Obviously this isn't automatic. There are forms to fill out, red tape to wade through and a whole host of interesting characters to meet.

As someone currently undergoing this process (I moved to Israel two weeks ago) I do feel blessed not to have to take any tests or wait a few years or any of those other lovely things some countries make people do, but I can't help but feel like this process could be redesigned.

For one it takes four days from the date of arrival to be registered in the system. This means you can't open up a bank account or get a phone or anything for at least four days. As well there are to many different offices to visit. Why can't things be more centralized?

Even sillier is what happened to me today. I had to go to the local absorption office. I was told the office is at 31 Shazar Street. Now remember, I am a new immigrant. I have spent a total of five days in my new city of residence. This means, I pretty much have no clue how to get anywhere. Luckily though, I have a map in my apartment. I manage to find the street no problem, but where is number 31? There is exactly one street number I can see and it is on building number 1. It just seems nuts that a place catering to new immigrants would have no street number, sign or other marking to indicate "you are here." After walking up and down the street in about 36 degree heat (Celsius) calling the place a few times and asking random people I eventually found the building. Needless to say this is just the most recent example of how this process should be redesigned.

The Mysterious Toothbrush Saga

I currently live in an apartment with one roommate, but we have 10 toothbrushes in our bathroom. Even if the two girls who moved out right before I moved in left their toothbrushes that is still 6 that are unaccounted for...

Orange, the color of love...

Yesterday I went to get a phone at Orange and the guy who sold it to me, Chai, gave me his number. It was funny, I laughed, I moved on. Today Chai texted me to find out how the service is. So yes, the Orange guy saved my number. Creepy, unprofessional, or just funny. I am leaning towards funny, but then again I have a false sense of security. You don't get that kind of help from most sales people in this country. The question now stands, what do I text back?

Getting it Done

I have a bank account and a phone. Three cheers for me! Getting the phone was really funny. I became "best friends" with the guy selling it to me. He gave me his number. His name was Chai. He used to do Bnei Akiva until he became chiloni. Oh Israel, what fun we have together! And yes, I now have an Orange number so I can be a real Israeli.

I have also come to the conclusion that despite the fact I have moved half way across the world my life has changed very little. This realization makes me very happy. I am still the same reclusive design nerd I was in Toronto.

Speaking of being a design nerd, I intend to get some photography done before leaving Beer Sheva. Sand and buildings contrast nicely. Will upload some pictures when I get around to taking them.

Heading North

I have decided on Technion. Look out Haifa! Actually Haifa doesn't have much to worry about. Doesn't look like I will have time for much of anything besides school next year...

Aliyah Video

Week One in Review

I am closing in one my first full week as an Israeli citizen. It has been surprisingly tame. I think. I say I think cause I am pretty easy going and failing to open up a bank account twice doesn't really bother me. How long does it take out mispar zehut to get into the system? Basically I am currently without an Israeli bank account, a phone and health care but happy as a clam cause at least I know how to get to the mall from my apartment. At least I think I do...

The jet lag has still got me a little messed up- more in respect to eating than sleeping. I thought with the time change I would finally be able to sleep in but apparently not. It is actually very strange. I am still waking up before my alarm.

My big dilemma at the moment is whether I should stay in Beer Sheva or go to the Technion in Haifa to study industrial design. Technion seems like the better option it is THE Technion afterall, but it also seems like a much more challanging option. Then again I always say my only regrets in life involve me being to lazy to do math and in my head being scared of Technion falls into that catagory. Plus I do have many mathamatically inclined friends up in Haifa I can have teach me math if the need arises.

Speaking of Haifa I was up there for shabbat at friends. It was a really awesome way to spend my first shabbat as an Israeli. It also afforded me to visit the opportunity to visit Technion. Surprisingly they knew who I was. They seemed a littled surprised I was in Israel but were super nice and helpful. Also cool, only 20 people get into the program and they accpeted me with out an interview. At least one university in this country seems to understand the concept of someone not being in the country to make it for an interview.

Speaking of interviews I had my group interview for conflict management today. We didn't have to solve any conflicts. There really wasn't a need to have the interview in the group. I was not the only one there interested in organizational/corporate conflict resolution which is a good thing. I was worried the program would be a bunch of either touchy feely helpful people or politicians but it was a very mixed group. Plus outside of the core courses you can take classes from any faculty which means I can probably take business classes.

In other news my room is set up. I did it in such a way repacking in a month won't be such a challange. Plus I have an art table in the middle of my room. It makes me very happy. Speaking of art, I really want to go to Caesaria for some drawing and photographing.

This is about all I have to say for now. I mean I could go on but I don't want to.

Israeli Number ?

I am here- woohoo :) The flight was great. The airport greeting even better. Beer Sheva is nice. My mispar zehut is not in the system and I got into Technion. Busy few days... I should write more but this technion thing has gotten me off track.

And so it begins...

Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. It all begins tomorrow.

Right now I should be finishing my packing. Should being the operative word...

My final Shabbat was awesome. It was like grade 5 all over again. Except with beer.

My final Friday was very fitting. On my ride with my dad my water bottle got smashed. It was sad but I guess it signifies and end. I have been using the word cathartic way too often these past few days. It is quite telling.

See you on the other side! (unless I write tomorrow.)

The Things You Learn When Cleaning Your Room

The big purge is complete and in the process I learned some surprising things about myself:

• I was once, for a very short stint, an advice columnist. This lasted one only one issue, but in my defense the paper itself may have only lasted one issue as well.
• I am a pack rat. Not for sentimental reasons. I just think everything can be used for an art project, or something. I also think I may want to read stuff later, but later being now, I realize I don't.
• I always knew I was bad at laminating, but apparently I am equally as bad at shredding. I am going to need one heck of a secretary one day.
• When I signed up for the SAT I told them I would be majoring in science. Somehow between grade 11 and 12 science became design. Although I did get accepted to sciences at U of T so I wasn't too off.
• I accumulate a lot of shreddables in four years. I really hate shredding an let all my receipts, bills, etc. pile up, this is dumb because I spent over an hour shredding stuff today.
• There are pictures out there somewhere of the fruit-by-the-foot game. It's worse than I thought, but not as bad as it looks.
• I love ziplock bags. I had empty ones all over my room.

I am sure I discovered some other things, but who can remember...

4

I literally cringe each time I walk into my room. It is so chaotic. Tomorrow is a fast day though, I can't do any gym-ing, movie-ing or shopping. I will finish cleaning and packing!

5

I am leaving in 5 days. 5 days. That is nothing. It is really all I can think about. Not in a panic stricken, what am I doing way, but in pretty calm factual way. I am happy, but not elated. Things just feel right. Personally that is how I like it. I am extremely complacent. Ok, I admit it there is a little bit of hyper-active happiness bubbling. Maybe more that a little. Actually I keep breaking out into spontaneous grins for no good reason. That being said though, I am extremely calm. Lost all ability to concentrate in movies though, but who knows maybe I just didn't like Public Enemies.

Wow, that was not a clear post at all...

5

Packing Pictures

Emptying the closet hanger by hanger:


The crazy knee sock phase is officially over and done with, never to be resurrected:


Ripping apart my bedroom one last time:


Such colorful shirts! Such needless excess! Goodbye shirts!


I am actually getting some stuff packed. Shocking, I know:

One Week

One week, one week, one week. I leave in one week. Insane. Completely nuts. Most importantly though, crazy exciting.

After 13 years camp is finally out of my system. Was up there for Shabbat and had a major Murtagh moment. I didn't know anyone there and I am ok with that. Now that that is over and done with I can be an adult and start a real life and maybe just maybe finish packing and clean my room.

3 Strikes and I'm Outta Here!

2 weeks!

I am leaving in 2 weeks! I have 3 bags packed! In one of those bags are my greyscale markers which until now I have used to cross days off my calendar. My Xs are now being marker in pen which is much less dramatic but the implication is exciting.

Speaking of exciting I just got an email from Ben Gurion that I have an interview for conflict resolution management. This is strange since they told me that they had stopped the acceptance process for the program when I was accepted to communications. Now I am kind of thinking maybe I can do 2 MAs and become a corporate consulting guru and do both internal communications and mediation. Who knows? The world is my oyster!

Cause I'm 17 and it's Sweeter than 16!

It's a quote from Repo! The Genetic Opera... great movie...

17 days to go but things are moving!!!!! I have where to live for the first month and I half after I get there and it is in Beer Sheva. I am officially making aliyah to Beer Sheva- who woulda thunk? Also, I have started packing! One bag down (minus the two in Israel) many to go, but it is a start.

As well, I have decided to keep the Eden.

End of an Era

I am officially Marnina Herrmann B.des and have a diploma with two seals to prove it. If you still don't believe me I changed my network status for York and Sheridan to alumnus and if it says it on facebook it must be true :) Also, I made Israel my primary network!

In other news I still haven't started to pack. I do keep taking out stuff to pack, but pack I have not. This has resulted in a very scary looking room. I really need to get at least one bag before shabbat because I hate having my room such a huge mess for shabbat.

In addition to all of that is my debate. Legally I am Marnina Eden. My Hebrew name is just Marnina. Do I want my legal Hebrew name to have the Eden or not?

19!

Man oh man, I have crossed 20. I am int he home stretch. Just had an über-fast trip to NY- less than 24 hours- and said goodbye to the family there. It was actually really, really strange. No more random trips to Woodmere for the weekend to hang with the family... things really are moving.

In other exciting news, I got my iLugger (carrying case for my iMac). Even more exciting, I have where to live- woohoo! Not revealing any details yet since it isn't officially official but it looks like its happening.

I still haven't started to pack...

21...

Exciting news of the day (and past few days). I have decided to document the packing process- not only will it be somewhat entertaining, but it will add some color to the blog. Also, why not? I haven't taken too many photos so far- just shoes (of which I have too many), knee socks (of which I have finally decided I am done with) and some shirts. I really need to get a move on.

Shabbat was our only Shabbat with the entire family before I go- crazy stuff. During Shabbat I gave away my room. We are painting this summer and I have the largest room and agreed to trade with my brother since what do I care I will be gone by the time the switch is made. Still, it is really weird.

I am going to NY tomorrow for my cousin's wedding. The crazy thing is I will be saying goodbye to the NY family. Basically my first real goodbyes are right around the corner- it is nuts.

I really must find a home.

Facebook Group

Months ago I created a Facebook group for people making aliyah in 2009. Currently there are 25 people in the group- which is considerably larger than the starting figure. I just have no clue what to do with the group. It is such a hodgepodge of people from everywhere. Yes we are all undergoing a common experience, but in such different ways. I did start the group as a way to connect people, but no one is connecting. I guess with all the admin powers bestowed upon me by Facebook I could try something- a group message perhaps, but honestly I am not sure. I mean other than the 5 or so people in the group who are my friends everyone joined out of their own free will, so obviously they were looking to get something out of the group as well.

Social networking is a really interesting phenomenon. It is a lot more work than it seems. All these connections lying dormant. There has to be a way to harness them. I guess this is why I will be studying communications.

Here is the groups link for anyone interested.

24

Another large stride was made today. I taught my dad how to use gmail video chat. I mean he didn't need much teaching- just a basic explanation, but now we are ready for some long distance face to face communication.

Urban Shepherdess

I am the Urban Shepherdess. The perfect mix of boho and cosmopolitan. A cocktail of cool, fashion at its best. It is a little Bedouin and a little metropolitan all rolled into Beer Sheva chick. Think peasant dress mixed with leather jacket. Urban Shepherdess my new persona (at least as far as fashion goes).

(As well my apartment will be known as the Shanti Shanty. Shanti being Sanskrit for peace- there will be much gauze, greenery and yoga going on in there.)

בקיצור, I will now be giving long strange names to everything in my life. Ok maybe not.

5:30 am

I have barely slept in 3 nights because I keep having to wake up at insane hours to call someone I frankly don't think even exists! Ok I know she exists because she has emailed me before but this is getting insane. Oh wait, scratch that she does exist because I just spoke to her in what was perhaps the most anti-climactic conversation ever. Basically they have a second round of interviews in September and I should just call her in August to remind her that I need an interview then. Which basically means going there isn't happening since I would have had to do the Hebrew U summer ulpan by then and find a home. I will probably try to fight to get an interview in July. 5:30 am isn't my best and most argumentative phone time.

Sonata Arctica

A few posts back I wrote about how generally the aliyah thing seems really unreal and it is only at certain random intervals that I feel like it is actually happening. Tonight was another one of those nights.

My favorite band is this Finnish power metal band called Sonata Arctica. I have been completely obsessed with everything they have ever done since the first song of theirs I heard back in the beginning of 2007. Sonata Arctica has become synonymous with Marnina Herrmann. I say Tony and my friends all know I referring to Tony Kakko the front man and brains behind the band. My cellphone wallpaper is a picture of Tony, my ring their song San Sebastian. My top played band on iTunes is Sonata (5217 plays). My top played song is Ain't Your Fairytale (187 plays). Every fall they come to Toronto, and every fall I go to their concert. Except this year. October 2nd, Sonata will be rocking out at the Sound Academy with Dragon Force (another awesome band) and I won't be there. Oct. 2nd does happen to be a shabbat- so either way I wouldn't be there, but it is going to be really sad for me to start of a school year without my annual dose of awesomeness.

And now a little Sonata for you to enjoy :)





I really hope they come to Israel. I may cry if they don't. I am actually tearing up a bit now...

It is 4:30 am and all I want to do is shoot a clown...

Why does no one work in Israel? Why does the one person in the entire country who can apparently help me with my dilemma find no reason to be at work, seem to not have voicemail, have her fax number listed wrong and ignore her emails? Why am I applying to Bezalel again? Why is their hold music this stupid circus music?

I am going to bed.

Guess what I didn't do today?

I didn't go to Bezalel for my interview!

I mean who in their right mind gives a foreign applicant a single days notice for an interview?! Ok, so in truth they did try to inform me a few days earlier but the letter was returned to them in the mail. But still! You can't give someone in Canada a weeks notice for an interview in Israel. Why do they torture me like this?

Sporadic Moments of Clarity

I am leaving for Israel in 28 days. I am moving from one of the coldest countries in the world to a literal desert. Despite the insanity of the situation not only am I calm, but I am pretty much indifferent to the whole thing. Truth be told, most of the time I just feel like I am going on summer vacation. It is only at rare moments I have instances of clarity and say to myself "whoa, I am making aliyah." Moments like tonight. I was at a movie with friends and during the previews they showed all these trailers of movies I wouldn't be around to see with those people. Movies I could so easily picture myself going to with my Toronto friends, but know it will never happen. Weird.

!

29 days! That's less than 30! Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!

Also, I am officially a certified yoga instructor. Who know what good that will do me though. I am still almost homeless :)

Let the Celebrations Begin!

Last night marked the first official goodbye party for myself and Matt (my co-aliyah-er). Truth be told it didn't feel much like a goodbye party. I mean the two of us aren't leaving for a month, neither of us are remotely ready to go or have any clue what we will be doing or where we will be living when we get there. That being said a BBQ is a BBQ and I never say no to grilled meat.

Of course there was a reason for doing this so early, one of our friends is leaving to Israel next week and didn't want to miss out on any of the partying (she is making us another party when we get there as well). Seriously though, who can blame her, a boat is a boat but a party, that can be anything.

At said party I started to tell my friends about my things I will miss listed. They were amused to discover that not only was processed cheese on the list, but that it came before they did.

31 days until I am homeless...

Lists

I am leaving in 33 days and I have started to compile a list of things I will miss when I make aliyah.

•Blueberries
•Blue Steel (my car)
•Closet
•Shopping (cause they don't have real shopping in Israel)
•My gym
•My yoga studio
•My breakdancing classes (even if I have only been to one so far)
•Subways- the mode of transportation- a rarity in my life, but so convenient
•The 407 (best road ever!)
•English
•Processed cheese
•Apple Juice Boxes
•Good deli meat
•Good all meat
•Customer service
•Family and friends obviously

Of course then there are all the things I won't miss like winter, insane Toronto shenanigans and a cellphone with no call display or voice mail.

Life is just full of trade-offs.

In my 30s.

It isn't that I have forgotten about the blog it is just I have been ignoring it. I don't even know what I wrote last- c'est la vie. Ok so I just checked. I have already written I was accepted to BGU- actually nothing has really changed since I have last written. At least nothing that is any of your business! Ben Gurion does have a fb group for people there who like to play tennis though, I think I am going to like it there :)

49 days and counting

Yes, yes I know I have been kind of out of things for a while. With school ending and all I have been busy with various activities.

Here are how things stand now. Aliyah is in 49 days. Only two more nights of sfira to count :) I have gotten one acceptance- Ben Gurion- and still have not heard back Bezalel and Technion (not even about interviews) but none of my choices are bad choices so I would be perfectly content going to BG. It is possibly even my first choice. It is insane to think how things are actually coming together. I never thought this would happen and now that it is happening it isn't happening like I thought it would. But honestly, what North American thinks they are making aliyah to Beer Sheva?

Almost There

It's my last week of school. One more project, one more class, then freedom. It's so close and yet so far. So much tweeking and fine tuning and perfecting to do.
It will all go so fast after that. I keep trying to picture my room with nothing in it and it's really hard to do. I guess I will have to wait and see.

56 days until Aliyah.
3 more days of school.
40th day of the Omer and still in the game :)

2 months!!!!

I am leaving in two months! Don't know where I am going yet, but I know I am leaving. I am not even excited- it just doesn't feel real. That and I am so worn out from grad show and now that that is over I have corp ID to worry about. But May 21st at 12:31 I am no longer a student and have to get my future in check. Actually, I will have what to study as I am working to get certified as a yoga instructor but that is different. Seriously though, I am going to have to kick it up and get stuff figured out. Maybe I will just buy a surfboard and build myself a fort on the beach...

Rollercoaster

Five days till grad show, 69 until aliyah, 26th day of the omer and still in the game. I have business cards and most of my work printed. Time doesn't know if it wants to move quickly or slowly. It is driving me insane. I miss the gym, I miss hanging out with friends, talking on fb chat and gchat, I miss being able to breathe. I still can't decide whether May is going to be be the fastest or slowest month of my life. I also miss thinking straight. I need sleep.

One more down, 2.5 to go!

April is over! There is currently a massive, red, construction paper X going through the April box of my calendar. It is quite intense. Actually everything is quite intense at the moment. Grad show is a week away and I am not even close to ready. In a Marnina first I disabled chat on both fb and gmail so I have no distractions- I have no idea if this will help as just knowing they are inactive is itself a distraction. On top of grad show corp ID is killer and hugely stressing me out. It would probably be less stressful if I did not need to keep grades up for grad school but honestly I refuse to allow myself to get a C at this point.

May is going to go fast. I will be most happy when it is done and I will have a month and a half to chill with my friends, do Yoga, prepare for aliyah, bike and just be relaxed. Of course I assume once June kicks in I will be über-stressed about the whole impending homeless situation. You never win :)

Everyone is Biking and Corn Holing Except Marnina

(it's from Arrested)

It's Yom HaAzmaut and for the first, and I would imagine last time ever I have class. It is very sad. Not that I don't adore workshop, and YSDN and adaptive footwear systems, I just prefer driving around with my windows open blasting Israeli music... OK, I did some of that on the way to school, it is just more fun with friends. Despite the fact I am outfitted in blue and white and said Hallel (with a bracha) it just doesn't feel like a Chag when you are sitting in class listening to presentations. I may have to go get a celebratory slurpee... before locking myself in my room and slaving away over corp id- oh man how am I going to get everything done.

Wow this post is incoherent!

רק בטורונטו

Every year the Modern Orthodox Zionist community of Toronto has a Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAzmaut thing. This year was no different. As much as I would prefer to be in Israel this time of year (ok, every time of year) there is something to be said for the Toronto festivities.

As there is only one true Modern Orthodox Zionist day school in Toronto pretty much everyone who attends this yearly event either went to Netivot HaTorah Day School or sent their kids there. Besides a love of Torah and Israel this gives us something in common, the ability to bust a move to the song "Ki Et Kol HaAretz."

Huh?

Jews have never been known for their ability to dance, but the actions that go along with that song are perhaps some of the most iconic moves performed in the city of Toronto. While the woman who introduced this song and "dance" to us all those years ago now lives in Israel her legacy lives on in that song. It really is quite a sight to see a massive room full of people from such a wide age range on their feet, hands in the air and belting out a song at the top of their lungs. Actually, that happens at most rock concerts so let me rephrase: It really is quite a sight to see the BAYT full of people from such a wide age range on their feet, hands in the air and belting out THAT song at the top of their lungs.

Happy 61st Israel!!!!!! See you in 76 days!

And now for something completely different!

and by completely different I mean format not content. Don't get too excited by the whole web cam thing :)

...

I am making aliyah in 79 days. Bezalel, Technion and Ben Gurion have all received my applications. I have no idea when I will find out if I have been accept to any of them. I do know Bezalel only does interviews in June and July. Basically it looks like I will be making aliyah with no home or plans or anything. I don't think I am quite as cool with this whole thing as I was say, a week ago. I really do like plans.

The Great Debate!

The great debate of the moment is whether I should renew my subscription to Fast Company and just have my parents send the magazine to me in Israel, resubscribe when I figure out where I will be living in Israel or forget the whole subscription and read everything online...

I kind of like the idea of having the magazine sent to me in Israel but this whole situation is very confusing! I have decided to email a customer service rep for help. They will get back to me within two business days. I will keep you all posted...

Speaking of magazines, I no longer work for one. It was a fun run. I met some cool people. I learned a lot and I think I did good work while I was there. On to bigger and better things!

Yom Hashoah

Tonight was the annual Yom Hashoah tent ceremony thing. They sang O Canada. Like everyone else there I got up and sang with them. This may seem like a completely unremarkable statement, but it isn't. You see for the longest time I would not sing O Canada, I wouldn't even stand for it. I felt that when the Liberals were in power the Canadian government did not represent my views in any way shape or form. I was embarrassed by my country's leadership and foreign policy and therefore did not feel the need to sing the national anthem.

How thing have changed. Today Canada is one of Israel's biggest supporters. It was the first country to announce it would not attend Durban II, Jason Kenny and Stephen Harper are the best friends Israel could have, and GST is down 2%. Today I sang O Canada.

When I get to Israel and people ask me if I am American I will say with pride that I am in fact Canadian. (Although I do have American citizenship...)

84 days and counting...

Man oh man oh man these next 84 days need to start disappearing faster, and not just for my state of mind. I mean I go to the mall to buy two tank tops and I end up with a whole new wardrobe! Ok I am exaggerating a bit but if I don't get out of this country soon I will have no where to keep all my stuff when I get to Israel!

Sfira update! Still in the game! Yeay for massively huge calendars!

Also, Beer Sheva is über-confusing they send me these emails about other emails they will send me with codes- I mean maybe Ben Gurion is a secret society or something! Honestly though, I appreciate the fact they informed me about receiving my app (according to Canada post my technion app is still floating around- I never should have tracked it), but why all the random registration steps?

Another thing apparently Sarit Hadad was some sort of child prodigy and started playing at some club when she was 8 and her parents didn't know... I mean when they found out they stopped her from playing there but really? I mean what kind of country am I moving to?!

Leaving in 91

91 days is not a lot of time, yet at this moment it feels like eternity! School seems to be simultaneously racing and shuffling by. Pesach has been a lot of fun but I am ready to throw in the towel when it comes to two (and three) day Yom Tovim. I am still in the sfira game and the calendar seems to be working out quite well for me. I am slowly getting together everything I need for the big move. Every time I try on an outfit in a store my mom feels the need to explain to the sales person how I can't get anything to heavy because I am moving to a desert. As a result I know have a desert proof wardrobe and in the event I end up in Haifa or Jerusalem I will be freezing. Ok, not really.

It is funny because when I think of the next 91 days I am super psyched. I am also psyched thinking about July 15. It is the 13th and 14th that make me nervous. I mean I will be out of my mind enough without the insane airport scenes. It is all just a bit overwhelming to think about. Mach Hach leaving on the same day doesn't help. Whatever- it is just a period of less than 24 hours, and I am sure it will be memorable!

לשנה הבא בירושלים

or Beer Sheva or Haifa, I'll take anywhere in Israel in fact. Actually I would take anywhere in the world as long as I only have to do one seder and I have a teudat zehut!

And just for those of you who are counting 96 days...

...

I am wondering if this whole calendar is as good an idea as I initially thought. I guess it isn't so much a problem with a calender but a problem with the fact I felt the need to count how many days it was until I made aliyah. When you think in terms of 100 days (now 98) times goes by much slower. This wouldn't be such a problem if it weren't for the month and a half of school I had to get through. It is impossibly hard to work with this countdown running through my head. On the plus side I still have high hopes for sfira and everyone knows school zips by after pesach! It's like high school all over again!

Here are the stats as they stand now:
34 days until gradshow.
3 (or 4) time sheets left to submit.
46 days until class is over.
4 projects left to complete.
80 days until graduation.
3 grad schools to hear back from.
98 days until aliyah.
32 jumping days left (over 11 weeks).

100 days!

I decided that since I was doing such a good job with this aliyah count down, that I had no excuse no to finally win the sfira counting game. I mean a count down is a count down right?
Since I finally took down my brainstorming wall (I hang up lots of random notes and visuals for projects I am brainstorming on my closet door) I have decided giant countdown calendars will go up instead.
Hopefully all my countdowns will be successfu1.

And now we wait...

My grad school apps have all been mailed out!!!!!

Such an awesome day! Woke up super pumped. Went to an insane step class, then came home and finished my applications, then did a minuscule amount of work, then drove around with my music blasting and windows open, bought some lip gloss, mailed my apps, had a celebratory slurpee and did some power yoga!!!!!!

Also, I decided for Ben Gurion I would make second a third choice. Choice two was nonprofit management- don't worry, I am not going all altruistic on ya. I figure the corporate world is falling apart so why not study nonprofit management and see if I could take some lessons on sustainability, socially responsibility and doing more with less to the corporate world. Choice three was conflict resolution- I feel like that is just something good to know whatever field you go into.

On another note, I am so bored with graphic design. So ready to be done with this silly logo for corp ID!!!! I mean I love the idea of creating a brand manual but I am so over the whole thumbnail thing! So happy whatever I learn next year will be different. At least for workshop I am doing something industrial design related.

I had a dream...

Not a good dream mind you. More of a nightmare. Remember that paranoia I was talking about a few posts back? About how something was going to go wrong and I would never make aliyah? Well as the days go by and hurdles are cleared there is less and less that could go wrong and so consciously I am getting less and less paranoid.
Apparently, my sub-conscious has yet to catch up with the rest of my mind. Here goes...

I had made it onto the plane! I was making aliyah! Matt was there too, obviously. Everything was going swimmingly! Until the plane started to spiral out of control. The pilot managed to safely land the plane on some main street in a small Western European country- like Belgium or Holland. The passengers were all ok. And that's all I remember. All things considered, not such a bad dream. No one got hurt...

But maybe this dream is more of a metaphor than a prophecy (not that I think my dreams are prophecies). Maybe it isn't telling a story of what is to come, but rather what has happened. How I once tried and failed and now I have to get up and try again. Only this time I am halfway there! Maybe my sub-conscious is more optimistic than I initially thought. Hmmmmmmmm.....

I have a date!

July 13th. Which is kinda weird, because I am making aliyah on the same flight my brother and his friends are taking to get to Israel for Mach Hach. Which means extra bags! But it also means if I cry I will have like 10 people who will never let me live it down. Tears of joy- obviously. Well maybe not. Maybe terror. That is if I go not knowing if I have a home or a spot in a masters program. Oh so much to contemplate! Then there is the airport scene- that's gonna be a strange one. Good thing Ori doesn't mind being ignore.

Only 3.5 months! 105 days! (man that sounds like a long time... 3.5 months it is!)

3.5 months

Apparently I have a date. Apparently it is 3.5 months away. I would like confirmation though... Then I would like to know how to program a countdown on my blog. Can you even do that on blogger?

Speaking of programming, I really need to get my act together with this portfolio site now that my portfolio book is done.

Speaking of portfolio being done, I really need to send in my final two apps.

And then, I wait...

1 Down 3 to Go...

Technion application is in the mail!

(no I am not applying to med school. They have industrial design there...)

Scary!

There are few things scarier than seeing 25 identical passport photos of yourself. That being said paying for 25 copies of passport photos is pretty scary too. Yay for photo paper! I could turn this into a business... 25 counterfeit passport pictures for the low, low, price of...

The Dreaded Portfolio is done!

Finally, finally, finally! I finished my portfolio. Admittedly the hardest part was starting. Once I got my act together and came up with a basic page layout it was quite easy (albeit time consuming), but it is finished and off being printed by Lulu.com. I am happy, relieved, calm and dreading the website redesign a little less. If I could do this I can do that.

Hopefully my Technion application will be mailed tomorrow and Ben Gurion on Friday. Bezalel I still have to wait till my printed portfolio is delivered but I am getting somewhere.

The question now is just which of these schools (if any) will want me...


(The above image is from my portfolio cover and is characteristic of the style of the entire portfolio.)

Scrap Booking

Listening to a friend's thesis proposal presentation I had an interesting thought, a bureaucracy scrapbook. Keeping every form and application I had to fill in bound in a nice little book. It could make a funky kind of keepsake. Of course half the forms I have filled out I no longer have. Maybe I will suggest it to the next person who makes aliyah.
Speaking of forms, I wonder what kind of carbon footprint this whole process has? I mean NBN has online applications now which is great, but bureaucracy in general should go paperless. Sustainability has become such a trend in the corporate world and while governments preach sustainability do they really practice it? Just a thought.

Quirks

I eat hamburgers upside down. People tend to think it is strange but it comes completely naturally to me. I am not sure what this has to do with aliyah, oh yea, nothing, but I just felt like writing it. For some reason I have been thinking about this a lot.

Complacent

My portfolio is half done, my statements of intent written, my fall grades in and my transcripts starting to arrive in the mail. More important than any of this though is the fact that everything is starting to feel real. I no longer feel that impending sense of dread that I am going t be stuck in Canada forever. I mean I don't want to jinx myself or anything, but I am in a good place.

More Lasts

I changed my clock for the last time here. At least next year when my clock goes back into winter mode I won't be facing a Canadian winter. I may not even have to face winter at all- I mean Beer Sheva's idea of winter isn't winter.

Other than that the weekend wasn't good. It will get better though. In four months.

I feel like it's the last four days of camp or Mach Hach. You go through the summer, sleep as much as you can, chill out, just enjoy. Then it gets down to be less than a week and you realize you have so little time left and everything is accelerated. You are enjoying things, but you are so tired. In a way all you want to do is get home and sleep for a week. I feel like I am going to be insanely tired these next few months. I am ready to just make aliyah and sleep for a week- which probably won't happen.

Happy

I have finally started my last semester of undergrad. I am finally in my last month of my last real winter. And I finally have my last grad school application in my possession.
Friday I hand in my book and the second I get my fall marks the applications go in the mail. Things are moving... and so am I!

Kickstart my Heart

Actually, more like kickstart this whole application process, but I have begun to introduce a little more glam metal into my life so I figured a Mötley Crüe reference was appropriate.

All silliness aside I have finally started to get my act together. Now that I have survived my last real February (after surviving many Canadian Februarys, an Israeli February is more like an early March or April), I have finally written my statements of intent to accompany my grad school applications. I plan on getting them out to my refer-ers by the end of today. I am on my way!

Fear is Irrational

As the title of this post clearly states fear is irrational. That is not to say that particular fears do not make sense. Many fears are perfectly logical. It is just that the nature of fear is irrational. For example, it makes perfect sense to be afraid of driving. Tons and tons of people die in car crashes each year, or day for that matter. Yet, every day I get into my car and drive to wherever it is I have to go without thinking twice. Put me on a roller coaster though, and it is a different story. Yet how many people die on those? If fear was guided by logic I would be much more afraid of cruising down a road versus cursing down a track.

Where am I going with this?

A girl in my class has decided to organize a "design dive," basically a sky diving trip for our class. Cool right? Well despite the fact I am completely freaked about the idea of jumping out of a plane I kind of want to go. I mean how cool would it be for me to be able to say I went sky diving? My parents on the other hand find the whole thing a lot less cool. Basically they are not liking this idea, and not letting me go. Yet, they are all sunshines and smiles when I talk about moving to Israel. It's funny because I have a feeling if Julie (sky diving girl) or almost any other classmate of mine told their parents they were moving to the "war zone" that is Israel they would get the reaction my parents gave to sky diving.

It is just funny how different people look at things, but I guess that is what makes the world go round.

And so it continues...

My love hate relationship with Bezalel that is. I thought I was being so smart when I started emailing them in Hebrew. How could they ignore me when I spoke their language? Well I was right about one thing, they didn't ignore me. But, they also didn't give me the information I wanted.

You can't win 'em all!

And speaking of love hate relationships, my contract with Nefesh B'Nefesh has been signed, sealed, delivered, so now I have to make aliyah.

Veiled Racism

Canada, and Toronto in particular, is a place that prides itself on tolerance, acceptance and diversity. We are a cultural mosaic, as opposed to a melting pot. While this sounds wonderful, in truth it is not. You see, racism and xenophobia are deeply rooted problems. Just because you don't act like a racist doesn't mean you do not have racist tendencies. We are all a lot more racist than we like to admit. If you don't believe me, here is some scientific proof.

That being said, I believe it is better to be among people who do not hide their hate in the deep recesses of their minds. I would rather be among Americans slinging around Antisemitic slurs than Canadians who curse me silently behind my back. In America if you hate someone you say it. If you are prejudiced you admit it. You know who your enemies are. In Canada we hide behind a veil of tolerance. Yet, we have the exact same prejudices Americans do. This is why it is a lot more dangerous here. We don't know who our enemies are. The unfortunate thing is America is falling into the whole political correctness trap as well.

I think political correctness is one of the most damaging inventions of our time. It allows us to hide from reality. We need to get all our differences out in the open and deal with them rather than allow them to fester in the guilt ridden parts of our psyche. If someone thinks I am less of a person because I am a Jew, a Zionist, a woman, anything, I don't want to be in denial about it. I want to know about it, and I want to prove them wrong.

Israel is one of the most politically incorrect first world countries out there. While some may think that archaic, I am beginning to think of it as post-modern.
I am not advocating hate or prejudice. I would just like people to be honest for once. For without that honesty, we never will reach the point where true equality reigns supreme.


**Just to clarify, I am not trying to advocate racism, hate speech or violence. I am just trying to make a point that political correctness isn't the salvation it promises to be.

In the Moment

Recent events in the city have kept me very much in the moment. I guess strong emotions do that to you. The rise in antisemitism in Toronto is insane, and with Israel Apartheid Week rapidly approaching, I don't see the situation improving. While all this craziness fuels my desire to make aliyah it also helps to keep me focused. Rather than just sitting around and constantly agonizing over the idea of more rejections from Bezalel I am actively advocating for Israel.

I think this year will in effect make me a better Jew. Had I got on a plane to Israel last summer and never returned to Canada I probably would have gone through life living with my head in the sand. I would have thought if I help to strengthen Israel's economy by building her some international brands that is enough. This year has taught me that is not enough. Antisemitism is on the rise and no amount of brand strategizing and marketing buzz words are going to change that.

Don't get me wrong. I have no intentions of suddenly dropping everything to pursue a career in politics. I don't think I would make a good politician. But I have to do something. Even if that something is simply spreading awareness about the situation in Chutz La'Aretz, or maintaining some sort of online presence. The key is just to do something.

As George Jonas wrote in today's National Post, "It isn't silent majorities that drive things, but vocal minorities. Don't count heads; count decibels." We do not need to be the majority to have our voices heard. We just need to speak out. We have to stop allowing ourselves to be bullied and we must take a stand against those who try to tear us down. If we each do that, with the help of God we will not relive the 30s and 40s.

Why I Must Make Aliyah

Today, in the late afternoon, while people were going about their daily routine in the York University Hillel- resting, relaxing, studying, holding press conferences, etc, a group of over one hundred pro-Palestinian thugs gathered outside the Hillel office, some covering their faces with Keffiyah's, chanting hateful statements and using intimidation to instill fear in the eyes of every Jew on campus.

The group made it utterly impossible for anyone to leave the Hillel lounge, or to enter, and the students inside were trapped, fearing for their safety and well being, in a place that was supposed to be the ONLY refuge for a Jew on campus.

The students inside were sitting ducks, and no body could prevent the situation from escalating. The rioters got more and more riotous with every passing moment, and the safety of the students inside was compromised.

The police were called and a group of officers was needed to evacuate the Hillel Lounge... In a line all of the students inside of Hillel were escorted out, through the crowds of their enemies, to safety...

When the only safe haven for Jewish students is evacuated, due to hords of violent, anti-semitic people, we realize that there is a problem... (adapted from a facebook message by Brandon Crandall)

While I was not on campus when this happened I was at York today. Plus, chances are I know at least one person who was in the Hillel while this was going on. This is no way to live. People should not fear for their safety in their own school. While I don't want to sound like I am simply advocating running away from the problem, I really do believe the best solution is to get up and go to Israel. The city that founded Israel Apartheid Week is no place for a Jew to live.

Whether I like it or not I am stuck here for another few months. I guess I will have to settle for Pro-Israel rallies like the one happening at York at 2:00 PM in Vari Hall tomorrow.

The Fringe

I always had this thing against fringe parties. In my head they just seemed like a waste of a vote. In Canada I vote Conservative, in the states Republican and I always just imagined I would vote Likud when I finally became Israeli. But, if yesterday's election results proved anything, it is that in the Israeli political system there are no obvious outcomes.

Yisrael Beytenu out performed Labour. In my head this just seems crazy. I mean don't get me wrong, I am happy with those results. I am just surprised. I now have to rethink my voting strategies, or at least re-define my idea of fringe parties. I mean Israel has always been very different than Canada and the States. It is a younger more reactive country. It is possible that in 100 years from now the political landscape will be different and that there will be more obvious front-runners. Until then I guess I should just be a little more open minded at the polls.

Maybe if it weren't for my conformist attitude Bob Barr could have been president...

Today is the big day...

for my tennis racket, ski jacket, heavy leather jacket, apples-2-apples, aviators and a bunch of other stuff. Mazal tov on your aliyah! I can't wait to get there myself and start using you again. Except for the ski jacket. I hope I only need to use you on very rare occasions. Possibly just impromptu trips to Europe, Greenland or Russia.

:)

I know I say a lot of negative things in my blog. It isn't that I am a negative person. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am sickeningly optimistic. The thing is, despite my optimism I do have a streak of Machiavellian realism. I don't want to ignore the bad and only see the good. I believe in acknowledging problems. After all, acceptance is the first step to recovery.

The aliyah process is not fun. True, it is much easier than the citizenship process for basically any other country in the world. And yes, they do give you more benefits for moving there than any other country. That doesn't change the fact though that it is a miserable process that could be made easier.

I love Israel and I cannot wait to get there. I am just think the aliyah process could use a makeover.

And I Thought NBN Was Supposed To Make My Life Easier

I was under the impression that Nefesh B'Nefesh was supposed to make the whole aliyah process easier. So far, it has been nothing but headaches.

First comes this whole streamlining the aliyah process. Is it really that hard to to fill out one form and give it to the Jewish Agency and then a different form for NBN? Apparently NBN thinks it is. The thing is, consolidating all the paper work doesn't actually mean less paperwork. On top of that I was one of the lucky people to apply during the transition period. This means I applied to make aliyah through the Jewish Agency (which went very smoothly) and then I was stuck calling NBN 30 000 000 times just to figure out which of their paper work I had to do, which I didn't have to do and what the whole procedure was.

Then they have this new online app. I love online apps- I am a true child of the digital age. The problem is you still have to mail in official passport photos. Ok no big deal, I did it. Then a few days later I receive an email from them they got my application but I have to mail them the original financial affidavit. Why do they not write that on the application? Why did they wait until I went to the post office once to tell me this? Whatever, I emailed them the original form, fine. But it doesn't end here! Today I get an email with another form I have to sign and mail to them! I feel like sending them a bill for $2.06. I mean it isn't the money, but it would have just been so much simpler if I could have mailed all three things together.

Up until now I have jumped through a whole series of hoops have have yet to receive anything in return. I can see them being helpful for the uneducated oleh, but for someone who has put as much time and effort into this whole process as me they have told me nothing i didn't know. I really do appreciate their efforts and will be happy if I have a few less lines to stand in once I get to Israel, I won't complain if they give me money either, but you would think a whole workforce of people who have dedicated their lives to this cause would have perfected their part of the process by now.

I really do love how people want to help new olim, but I honestly believe there is a lot less help for us out there than is advertised. No matter how many services are created the process is still long and hard. Israel is a different planet. They just function on a level slightly removed from reality. I am ok with that. I am ok with working at this whole aliyah thing. I just hate the false hope organizations like NBN give people.

Maybe one day I will start my own organization that offers no help, no assistance and only one piece of advice:
"Aliyah is a challenge. Expect no help, long lines, red tape and obnoxious people. At the end of the day you have only yourself to depend on."

Pessimistic as that may sound it is the truth. Well maybe not the whole truth. I am lucky enough to have family and friends there I can depend on. Not everyone has that though.

Toll Roads

I am not sure I would have survived university without the 407, but I am excited to make the switch to כביש 6.

Forward Thinking

I keep saying I want to be the CEO of my own brand agency and design management consultancy by the time I am 35. The problem is it isn't that impressive to be the CEO of your own company. The impressive part is for that company to be a success. This quandary has lead me to my new career goal: to be on the cover of Fast Company by the time I am 35. I have already started to think up headlines...

Fast Company, for those of you who don't know, is an amazing publication. It is a business magazine that emphasizes innovation and creative thing rather than traditional business models. The perfect place for the Entrepreneur who gave up on the GMAT. After all, an MBA is so stereotypical.

I thought about it...

Earlier today I posted the quote, "life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself." I actually have no idea who said it originally but apparently it is the favorite quote of one of the models on Project Runway Canada. That lovely aside aside, I too think it is an amazing quote.

You see, I have always been one of those people who tries to plan out every aspect of their future. I am big on the whole אין סומכין על הנס thing. I like having backup plans on top of backup plans. This is why I am in such a panic over grad school. Three programs is nothing compared to the nine undergrad programs I applied to.

It kind of scares me when I look at some of my friends, and almost everyone else living in Israel. So many people have no clue what they want to do with their lives.

With many of my friends I think it has to do partially with their inability to fully integrate into Israeli society. They are too busy struggling culturally and socially to bother struggling academically or professionally. Obviously part of it is just that many people are unfocused but honestly, my friends in Toronto and NY all seem to have concrete goals.
I know I could never be like that. It just goes against something in my DNA. Yet when I see the complacency of many of my peers I am more sure of the decision I made to return to Toronto rather than to study archaeology and hope for the best.

With Israeli's it is different. I believe there is something built into the culture there that causes them to lose focus. The whole army and sherut leumi thing really throws people off. Do you really have to spend a year traveling and then another year studying psychometry after the army? Why not take the psychometry while in high school, spend the summer traveling and start university shortly after serving? I just don't understand why people push things off for song long. Then when they finally start school most of them just study random things with no career goal in mind.
One thing is certain- all my kids are taking the psychometry while still in high school.

Most of these people believe they will find themselves one day, and while I sincerely hope they do life is not about happenstance, it is about action. We control our destiny. Yes, God plays a part, but he helps those who help themselves. Maybe this quote speaks to the designer in me but I really do think we must create ourselves.

Think about it...

Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.

A Country So Small They Don't Even Have Closet Space

I started to watch "Sex and the City: The Movie" tonight. I was in the mood for a chick flick and it was the only one currently on my list- yes, I have an actual list. Anyway, the movie itself is quite unimpressive, not that that surprises me. But, watching Carrie Bradshaw in a closet space frenzy got me thinking about the move. I have quite a large closet here in Toronto and yet I never have enough room for my stuff. What am I going to do when I move to a closet-less country?! I am going to need to build shoe racks on my ceiling or something! Maybe keep my sweaters in my freezer.
I really like stuff: clothes, shoes, books, electronics, sporting equipment. So I think having a place to put my stuff will make this whole transatlantic move a lot easier.

Seriously though, why does Israel have no closets? You would think the country that invented the primary pastime of the procrastinator- instant messaging- could have come up with closets.

Here's an idea. NBN should give a seminar on maximizing storage space and living a closet-less existence. At this point in my life I don't need someone to tell me what community has good high schools, I need someone to tell me what community has room for all my things!

A Motzei Shabbat Miracle

Before leaving for bowling I emailed Bezalel. Less than 5 hours later I received a reply with 2/3 of my questions answered! Maybe there is hope for them yet!

As Promised

I have come to the conclusion I don't really need to rank university's based on their helpfulness. General rules work just as well.

Rules for determining the amount of help you will receive from an Israeli institution when attempting to apply:

1- The further away a university is from the center of the country the more helpful it is. EX: Ben Gurion which is in Beer Sheva is really helpful whereas Hebrew U is really unhelpful.

2- Programs created for Chutznikim have more helpful administrations. Probably because they have higher tuition. I would assume IDC Herzaliya is more helpful than the average mercaz university for that reason as well. It is a private university and therefore costs a lot more than most schools.

3- The harder it is to get into a program, the harder they make your life when trying to apply. EX: Bezalel is really hard to get accepted to and drive you mad just trying to apply, most schools are not that insane.

Basically, if you are applying to university start early. Yes, the application isn't due for a million years, but still they are all crazy there! Why do I want to make aliyah again?

The Wiz

How in the world have I never seen the movie The Wiz? It is a Motown version of the Wizard of Oz starring Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow and Diana Ross as Dorothy. Seriously, who wouldn't want to see that? I mean the flying monkeys are known as Funky Monkeys!

Ok so the connection to aliyah comes with the song "Ease on Down the Road" by Michael Jackson. I was listening to it today and for some reason- maybe the immense amount of traffic- I started to pay attention to the lyrics. They seemed very appropriate for my life as it stands. Here goes..

'Cause there maybe times
When you think you lost your mind
And the steps you're takin'
Leave you three, four steps behind
But the road you're walking
Might be long sometimes
You just keep on steppin'
And you'll be just fine, yeah


Watch Ease On Down The Road - The Wiz (1978) in Music Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

And no, I have not forgotten about my rankings, those are still coming.

In Motion

Things are really in motion. I have finished my Nefesh B'Nefesh paperwork. I do still have to mail in three passport photos but I am going to get those done this afternoon after I get a haircut. If you are going to get your picture taken do it right :)
In addition I have the applications to all the grad schools I am applying to, and I still have a few months until deadlines for those. I actually need to order a few more transcripts and I also have to go into the registrar at school tomorrow to get three copies of a letter that I have been approved to graduate. All that's left for me at this time is to get back to class. That will hopefully happen on Monday. Actually, Monday I am having gum surgery, but I never have Monday or Tuesday class so I will give them until Wednesday to figure themselves out. Am I generous or what?

The question that remains is why does Bezalel love to torture me? Or rather, why am I putting myself through this whole application process again? Bezalel has always made me miserable and things have apparently not changed. I wonder if I get accepted and decide to go there if I will be equally as miserable as a student as I am as an applicant. I mean the people at Ben Gurion are super nice and the people at Technion are quite nice, why is it so hard for them? I am not asking for a best friend. Just a prompt answer to my emails. And an answer that actually answers my questions! Those university ranking dudes should add a new category to their rankings- "helpfulness during the application process." Actually, at this point I have considered applying to every university in the country except Haifa so I am in a pretty good position to do some rankings myself. Stay tuned...

Happy Birthday to Me!

First I would like to thank Dalton McGuinty for the back to work legislation. A couple months late but welcome nonetheless. It was a good birthday present. I mean it wasn't ice cream, but I will take it.

Next, I would like to thank my friends for an awesome night. Especially Ezra and Chaim- you guys sing like angels :) I am gonna miss you all so much next year!!!!

With the end of the strike looming I really have to get my act together. My NBN stuff is almost done, but I haven't even started my grad school apps and my portfolio is far from ready. I also have to start talking to profs about reference letters. At least graduation looks like its happening!

I feel like the entertainment factor has gone down in this blog- I need some drama. Actually, I would rather not have drama. I think the strike was enough!

15 more minutes...

In 15 minutes I will be 23. My Israeli friends have already started celebrating (of course by that I mean posting "happy birthday" on my facebook wall). It seems almost surreal that I have made it to this point.

Turning 22 I was in a bit of a funk. 21 was pretty epic and I knew I would be graduating and making aliyah at 23. 22 seemed a bit anti-climactic. Yet I have made it through 22, it was quite good actually, and have finally reached the year I have been waiting for.

Once the clock strikes 12 no more messing around. I have to get the final bits and pieces together for Nefesh B'Nefesh and I have to get my grad school apps in.

And York, for my birthday all I ask is you end this strike and let me graduate!

Now for a weird story. I have been emailing back and forth with someone who works for the department of communications at Ben Gurion. In her first email to me she referred to me as Narmina. I get Marina a lot but never Narmina. Then in her next email to me she sends me the contact info of a student in the program names Narmina. No, there is no point to this story. It was just strange.

Happy birthday to me!!!!!!!!!

My curse....

I feel like my entire aliyah process has been cursed. From day one, which was a long, long time ago. I mean no one ever led me to believe it would be easy, but I was under the impression the difficulties would begin once I got there. I guess what I am trying to say is if York doesn't let me graduate and I am stuck in Chutz La'Aretz for another year... I really don't know what I will do.

Please vote yes...

A New Plan C

After starting a GMAT practice test last night and giving up after 6 math questions (I only got one right) I decided maybe it was not worth it to kill myself over plan C. True, I would have no problem with the test if I decided to put some effort into studying for it. I was always good at math I am just out of practice. Yet why kill myself over something that I don't really want to do? Also that time would be much better spent focusing on my plan A, Bezalel and getting together a portfolio.

My new plan C is an MA in communications at Ben Gurion. So, exiling myself to the desert for 2-3 years is a pretty intense idea, but it is better than Toronto. On top of that everyone I know who has gone (is attending) Ben Gurion loves it. And the woman I emailed there emailed me back right away and in Israel that is one in a million. The program there sounds really good. It is all innovative and interdisciplinary and I really think it will get me thinking.

The grad school roster as it stands:
First Round Draft Pick- Mdes in design management at Bezalel (Jerusalem)
Second Round Draft Pick- MSc in industrial design at Technion (Haifa)
Third Round Draft Pick- MA in communications at Ben Gurion (Beer Sheva)

Sigh...

I really must be crazy to want to make aliyah. I mean to live in a country that could not sustain an IDEO office kind of depresses me. IDEO is probably the most successful design firm in the world. Though categorically an industrial design firm they do everything. Their founder David Kelley likes to think they sell design thinking rather than design. They had an office in Israel from 1998 - 2001 it's founder says it was closed because Israel was not ready for that kind of thinking. In Israel they think short term rather than long term. It is all about survival there. After learning about the closure of IDEO in Israel it suddenly makes sense why all the Israeli brand agencies aren't really brand agencies but are corporate identity design studios.

This kind of worries me. If IDEO could not survive there that does not give me much hope for the kind of design work I want to do. After all I want to be a brand strategist and design management consultant. I want to teach people how to use design thinking to enhance their businesses. I want to turn Israeli companies into international brands.

I know there is huge potential in what I do. I know I have what it takes to transform Israeli industry. I just don't know if Israel is ready for that.

On a more optimistic note the Israel Community of Designers started "Designed in Israel" in 2007. If you read the catalog from "Designed in Israel" 2008 you can see how Israel is starting to open up to the idea of design. I just hope it is enough.

This just gives me another reason to want to go to grad school. It gives Israel two extra years to get ready for me and my design thinking.

The Price of Israel Advocacy

I really hope this strike ends soon and I get to graduate because at the rate things are going I won't have any friends left in school by June.

30.8%

I am officially 30.8% done my Nefesh B'Nefesh application. This means I have slightly less than 70% to go. Being that I started studying for the GMAT yesterday I should probably be able to give you the exact percentage without thinking about it. Right...
I still don't even know if I am going to take the thing. I have recently come to the conclusion the only MBA program in Israel that offers me what I want is at IDC. And it's all for the low low price of $27,000! I know that isn't a lot for two years of school, but it is a lot more than free... Let's keep our fingers crossed for Bezalel or Technion shall we?

Back to NBN though. I know they are trying to streamline things with the Jewish Agency, but it's all very confusing. According to my Shlicha I am approved for aliyah until September 2009. According to some lady I spoke to at NBN your approval is only good for a six months instead of the year I was promised. Make up your mind people! The Jewish Agency here wasn't very happy with what the NBN woman told me... I hope I don't get anyone in trouble... Even if the woman was overly giggly and very confusing. In short, I just want to be done with all the paper work. Of course when I am done with all that paper work I still have grad school apps and the student authority stuff to fill out. "Ah the sweet cycle of bureaucracy!" If only I could bring Hermes Conrad to life and have him do it all for me...

Get Me Out of Here!

Back in high school I was all radical and politically minded. I loved rallies and demonstrations. I wrote letters newspapers. I wanted to be a journalist. I even started a 1 person anti-Model UN club to protest religious Jewish schools legitimizing the organization that time and time again condemns Israel.

I have mellowed with age. These days I just want to live my life and not listen to all the shenanigans that go on around me. It isn't that I don't care about what happens in the world, I have just become jaded. I don't think I have the power to do much of anything.

Recently it has become really hard. With what is going on in Israel all of these anti-Israel posts have started to pop-up in my facebook feed. I mean I am all for diversity and difference of opinion but it is so hard to be friends with people who think of my people as a bunch of blood thirsty killers! I can't stay silent anymore, so I don't. I argue with people who will never see it my way and probably think I am a pro-war psychopath.

I just have trouble thinking of myself as friends with these people now. Which is sad because if it weren't for some of them my university experience would have been a complete misery. I mean some of these people are just casual friends but others are people I am legitimately friends with. The most upsetting part is that they really aren't even anti-Israel. They rightly so think the situation in Gaza is horrible- they are just placing the blame on the wrong party. No matter who has more casualties Israel is the victim. They just don't and never will see that.

I need to get out here. I need to surround myself with like minded people. I know hiding isn't the solution. I know it is the easy way out. But living in Chutz La'Artez surrounded by bleeding heart liberals isn't the solution either.

Honestly, I would just love to get to Israel and re-brand the government and Tzahal and pump up their PR and allow the world to see us for what we really are.

My Thoughts Exactly

Over the summer I was asked the question, "what is your favorite thing about Israel." My answer was Tel Aviv and how it is a real city with a lot of great design studios. A friend of mine was horrified that I answered that. To him it seemed almost heretical that my favorite part of the country could be something so secular.

I tried to explain to him that that's exactly why it was my favorite thing. That Israel with all it's history, and meaning and holiness was still a real place. It isn't some biblical fantasy land to which I can't relate. It isn't that I think design firms are more important than 2000 years of history and a promise from God, it is just that I think that the modernization of the land of Israel symbolizes continuity and God's delivery of those promises.

I write about this today because a friend gave me the exact words to express my feelings:
"I have fallen in love with corporate Israel, its exactly like corporate America but everyone also speaks Hebrew!"

Thanks Chaim!

So Many Options?

Call me a nerd if you want but I love school. I mean so what if there is homework? You get to hang out with friends, learn stuff, experiment and your worse case scenario is failing. On top off all that the economic climate these days isn't too hot and finding jobs isn't so easy. That all in mind, grad school seems like a much better post-aliyah plan than trying to find work. Problem is, I know exactly what I want to do with my life (start my own brand agency and design management consultancy) and exactly what I want to study to help me do it. It's a problem because in Israel you are fairly limited in your choices when it comes to graduate education.

There is exactly one program in the entire country that fits the description of what I am looking for as far as a masters program goes. That would be the Mdes at Bezalel. They have a design management stream where i could learn all sorts of wonderful things like branding, creative direction and sustainable design practices. The thing is I don't have very good luck with Bezalel. True I am no longer 19 and without any formal design training, but I was optimistic last time as well. Applying again is scary enough with a backup plan, forget about without one.

So what to do?

Originally I had thought to apply to do an MFA in film or photography or something. Photography went out the window when I visited Bezalel's MFA exhibit and realized everything there was mindless junk- I couldn't handle art. Film school was out when I realized I just wasn't that interested in film.

Another idea I had been toying with was an Entrepreneurial MBA. Not only does it sound impressive but I do plan on starting my own company and helping people run theirs. Problem with that is other than entrepreneurship I would probably be really bored in business school. Not to mention I haven't done math since grade 12 calculus and don't know how I would handle the GMATs (although I have been assured I would be fine). Two days ago this idea was out- now I am considering it again. I really should just go down the street and take my friend's GMAT books already and stop speculating.

Idea three is a masters in communications. Communications just seems like one of those silly degrees that gets you no where though...

My new discovery for the day was Technion's MSc in Industrial Design. Not really going to help me with branding, but it seems really interesting and the course work seems like it could turn me into the next Maya Lin. (Who, for those of you who don't know, was a 20 something Asian girl who designed the Vietnam Memorial. There was a huge amount of controversy over the choice of her as the designer but the memorial was wildly brilliant.) I have basically decided as long as they would be willing to accept me with a graphic design degree I will apply. Which is funny because I had been bugging my friend who is on the same aliyah time line as me to choose Jerusalem over Technion and just when he does I start thinking of Technion. Either way Bezalel is still my first choice.

Now that I have thought this all through I just need to get my act together and start applying!

Saturday Night

For some reason Saturday night is prime time for my Zionist ranting and raving. Maybe it's cause I don't handle monotony well and it's the same people and same activities every week. I feel like it has to be something more though because for the past two weeks while I was in Israel I was with many of the same people doing many of the same things but no ranting and raving. Maybe it is because during the week I sit at home in my room and have no one to rant to. Either way no matter how sane I am during the week it all comes out Motzash.

This week for example I was at Marky's restaurant with the whole chevra and as we were leaving I look outside at the insane amount of snow and make one of my usual comments about how I don't know why anyone lives in this country.
The owner of Marky's says to me something along the lines of the weather is bad but Toronto is a great place for Jews to live.
I reply I hate it here. "It's cold and snowy and Canadians are too passive."
He says "passive is good," to which I reply "not when we are getting walked all over by anti-Semitic bastards!"
This conversation goes on for a while and then he says, "Toronto is better than NY and LA and Cleveland and you know why?" I answered, "because we have Marky's!" We high-5 and thus ended one of my weirder I hate Canada conversations.

At least I didn't manage to alienate any friends this week.
Can't wait to see what is in store for me next Saturday night.

Back Story

I figure if I am going to take this aspect of my life public I should do it right. While there are many people out there who know my story there are many more who don't.

I have pretty much always wanted to make aliyah. While I would have loved to do it right after elementary school my parents were not about to send their 14 year old daughter off into the world on her own. Since that was out I figured that post high school I would spend a year in an Israeli midrasha and never return to Toronto. Not only did I know I wasn't coming back but everyone else knew it as well. In high school when our grade 12 Torah teacher told the class he always had the most Zionist person in the class read the first Rashi of the Torah my class voted it was me. Israel has always been such a huge part of my identity.

I am not this crazy spur of the moment person many people think I am. I had everything figured out. I applied to an Israeli midrasha to improve my Hebrew and ease into the whole Israeli social setting. I had figured out what schools to apply to in Israel and made sure I had the proper requirements. I even altered my career goals to match Israeli industry (I wanted to be an automotive designer but since there is no auto industry in Israel I figured I would major in industrial design, minor in mechanical engineering and do ergonomic design for Tzahal). I had backup plan on top of backup plan and knew I couldn't fail.

I applied to four different design programs in Israel and archaeology and Talmud at Hebrew U. Since I got into two extremely competitive design programs and two archaeology programs in Toronto I figured there was no way I wouldn't get into something in Israel. Yet, after a grueling application process, I mean I didn't sleep or eat or breathe for a few months, I got rejected from each and every one of the design programs I had applied to.

I was then left with what has remained as the most difficult decision in my life. I could stay in Israel and study archaeology and Talmud or I could return to Toronto. As much as I didn't want to go back to Canada I knew it was the smart decision. Archaeology is interesting but it means years and years of school and never having a steady income. Life is expensive, especially if you are a religious Jew and especially if you live in Israel so having a real career is important. On top of all that I love design and I know it is what I was meant to do. I don't believe in compromising on what you want in life and I knew there was more of a chance for me to have both Israel and design if I went back to Canada for my degree and then made aliyah than if I stayed in Israel and maybe one day reapplied to design school.

I decided to go back to Toronto.

I cried for about it for days, my mom cried about it for weeks (she wants me there as much as I want to be there), but what choice did I have?
I knew it was only four years and I knew I wouldn't lose sight of what I wanted. People kept saying to me "I know you will make aliyah when you are done... unless you get married to someone in Toronto." I told them that that wasn't going to happen. Of course then they give you one of their silly little condescending smiles, but I showed them- I haven't even gone on a single date outside of Israel. When I decide I want something I do everything in my power to get it.

It has now been three and a half years. I have had low points, but no matter how bad it has gotten I have never regretted my decision. It was the right one for me. I love what I am studying and can't imagine doing anything else.

Over the past 3.5 years I have lived almost a double life getting to Israel every chance I get. I have done internships there, looked into grad school there and pretty much started to build a life for myself there while phasing out the one I have here. I actually have exactly 176 friends on facebook in the York network and 176 in the Israel network so you can say I am 50/50 now. On my recent trip to Israel I even brought a duffel bag with me that I left there for when I make aliyah this summer.

That is pretty much my story as it stands now. Long as it is I have left many wonderful anecdotes out but I guess I have 6 months of blogging to slip them in somewhere.

Why I started the Aliyah Blog

I recently returned home from a trip to Israel. Upon my return I posted the following note on face book:

On my recent trip to Israel the following thought/question formed in my mind:

I have wanted to make aliyah for pretty much as long as I remember. I mean I have wanted out of Toronto since elementary school. My parents were never going to send me away for high school, but I knew that once I graduated I would go to Israel for the year and never come back. You know what they say though, "man plans and god laughs." I must be very funny because after being rejected from four different post-secondary design programs in Israel I had the choice of staying in Israel and attempting to follow in the footsteps of Indiana Jones or return to Toronto and pursue a design education there. After a complete emotional meltdown I decided to follow my head rather than my heart and I returned to Toronto. Coming back to Toronto was crazy difficult for me. Besides having to deal with the rejection and failure there was this nagging feeling that something would cause me to get stuck here. After those feelings passed I was left facing four years living a double life partially in Toronto and partially in Israel, constantly traveling back and forth between the two.

But most of you know all that already. So here comes the question.

I have spent so many years of my life diverting so much emotional and physical energy into trying to make aliyah, what is going to happen when I finally succeed?
IY'H I have only six months left in Canada. After that it will be like I have suddenly lost my entire raison d'etre. What then? I mean yes I have other goals besides living in Israel and I can channel that excess energy into those other avenues. Or maybe I can allow myself to live in the moment for a bit instead of always planning and looking towards the future. Either way I am interested to know what my mental state will be like when the time comes.

The note generated a fairly good response so I may as well share more of my pre-aliyah experiences and thoughts with anyone who is interested.