Valentine's Day weekend

We are constantly pinching ourselves, Adam and I, that is...I don't know if Jed does this, to be mindful of how lucky we are. Well, the last weekend was just another luxurious example of this. We were treated to a heavenly weekend of feasting and fun in Jerusalem by our parents, thank you parents! It was wonderful in every way, and I am feeling a bit "hung-over" about it as I sit here in our office at home posting this now....sigh.

As weekends start here on Thursday, Adam met me after his courses ended on Thursday night. I went up early in the AM on Thursday as I had a meeting in East Jerusalem where I hope to be spending much more time working with Palestinian and Israeli midwives. We went out for a glorious and indulgent dinner of sushi (what a treat!), and while we were at the cafe we ran into some friends of the Rosenbbooms, Yael and Ron, and their kids. Adam's mom worked with Yael at the Israeli Consul General in Houston, and they were celebrating their daughter's 18th birthday. Made us feel like we really live here, now that we are bumping into people we know.



We spent the night in a lovely hostel right in the center of things off of Jaffa Street in Jerusalem, and got up early to go wedding ring shopping with an old friend of Adam's, Tamar, who lives in Jerusalem. We think we've probably found what we are looking for, but won't ruin the surprise! We then mozied on over to the swanky Inbal Hotel where we were hosted by the Houston Jewish Federation for the weekend. WOWOWOWOW, wined and dined like we were somebody special! Felt grrrrrrrrrrrrreat! We had Shabbat dinner in a formal dinning room where all the students had to go around the room and introduce themselves to the 260-thick Houstonian delegation. Adam intoduced me as his fiancee, and we got a big round of applause and "mozel tov". It makes me smile just thinking about it. Jonas, Adam's brother who lives in Jerusalem, joined us there for the weekend, as well. Its great to see them together, they enjoy one another so much.



Saturday we rose somewhat early, ate a tasty breakfast, and strolled out into the brilliant sunshine to enjoy a day at the Israel Museum. Full of all things old and Jewish. Also a few exhibitions of random modern and classic art thrown in for good measure. The dead sea scrolls are on display in this strange building that is designed to feel like a clay jar. I felt like I was in "I Dream of Jeanie". A great day, to be sure. Then we headed back, checked out, got on the bus, and headed back to Be'er Sheba.



One more treat was in store for us, though: we passed Condi's motorcade as she was arriving from the airport. Straight from Iraq. Times like this make me breathe deeply in appreciation for this place we are calling home these days. Lucky, lucky, lucky.

More to come, stay tuned....