Edge of Glory

Lots to talk about!  Here goes:

First, I returned to my Wednesday Karaoke place for one last little hurrah.  My father joined me as well as my karaoke buddy, Katie, and Rutgers friend Chris.  I sang "My Heart Will Go On" and "Janie's Got a Gun" to much acclaim.  I ended up winning "second place" for the night--names were placed in a bowl and the first three names pulled received prizes.  As I often say about things, "I was there to have fun.  Winning was just the extra plus!"

Last Friday, my temple hosted my final Shabbat in the states before I left for Israel.  It was a wonderful service and my best friends and closest family was there, in addition to the usual smattering of regulars at the service.  For being an earlier service (6 PM!) I was thrilled to see so many people there!  I sang a few songs with Student Cantor Vicky Glickin, and Rabbi Joel Abraham offered a number of special blessings.
As for the cake you see above, this was part of the "after-party" at dear friend of the family's house just two blocks down the road.  Mary Beth was a wonderful hostess to what seemed to be gracious guests.  I just felt terrible that my main job, scooping the ice cream, was not done since I was chatting with everyone :(.  Mary Beth ended up doing that herself. 
All in all, this was a wonderful evening.  I really can not express the joy I received by celebrating Shabbat with so many friends and family.  It was truly my honor to be in such great company.

Over the weekend, the packing commenced.  It was terrible.  How can you possibly manage to fit everything you think you would need for a year in a few suitcases?  After reading tips from classmates already in the states as well as those from other students, I took the general rule of asking myself a few times "Do I need it?  Do I need it?"  In the end, I eliminated quite a bit.  However, I'm still convinced I overpacked...and underpacked at the same time.  The other principle I have to remember is that Israel is a modern country with many of the things I need.  I will be able to survive in Israel.
Needless to say, certain things did not make it into my luggage.  Some purposeful, others not.  I made the decision not to pack my knitting supplies.  It was hard, but I knew even one set of needles would take up room that could have been used otherwise.  I will have my hands full of other things when I'm in Israel, so it was a positive sacrifice.  I also chose not to bring a number of extra clothes I thought I would need when I bought them.  Typical.
The unintentionally forgotten item was...haha...my computer battery.  I have the habit of taking the battery out and letting my computer run on AC power when the battery is full.  Normally, I place the battery back into the computer when I turn it off, but that just didn't happen.  It will be shipped, thank goodness. 
This seems to be the only thing I have forgotten.  Other than my sanity.  Oops.

So, surprise, I'm actually in Israel now and landed safely last night.  I will create a new post hopefully by the end of the day about my flight and first few hours.  The hits just keep on coming.

"Edge of Glory" is one of Lady Gaga's new songs featuring the recently departed Clarence Clemons.  It's a song that easily gets stuck in my head, but this is not a bad thing.