sitting in mods...

Well, I am in Israel. BirthRight was great, and I am exhausted. More on that later, too tired to function.

See you on the flipside,

Nikki

Toronto's Kosher

No, I am not writing a rant on the fact that there is no broccoli in any of the kosher establishments in this crazy city- that I will save for another day...

So, last night I went out for dinner with my friends Jon and Rina Parker. We went to Marky's because; well it's Toronto and what else is there to do?

So we went there also because I didn’t want to go to Tov Li- as the last time I was there I found a hair in my falafel ball (ugh.) At Marky's Rina and I ordered our usual - her a salami and eggs breakfast special and me a steak and eggs special. Once we get our food, we were eating and enjoying conversation when I found a hair in my eggs. Yes, a hair. I tried going to another restaurant to get away from hair in my food and yet I still did. Anyways, Marky's happily made me a new steak and eggs and all was well (yes, it was hair free.)

Hmm.. What else?

So I leave for Israel next week, so that’s kind of crazy. Oh the wedding. SO my friends WERE going to get married in Miami - but they changed the wedding to Jerusalem, that's how I get to go (people asked, so I answer...)

That's about all. I’m still busy, and still have not seen some of my friends yet here in Toronto (it's been four months!) it's a bit crazy but I hope to see everyone before I flee the city yet again.

That's all for now. But I posted. Yes Rina and Jon, I did write about Marky's....

Shavoa tov - have a good week

Leave a post, they do make me happy.

Nikki
Rachel: Dinner was a pastrami sandwich. Mmmmm...

what a month!

November has been a crazy month.

And by crazy, I mean insane. By far the most insane and busy month I have had here working. Let’s re-cap a bit.

YACHAD: We care together
With the Idan Raichel Project

So as many of you know, I was working quite hard on a project for a few weeks. With the rise of Anti-Israel events on campus, it was time for the community to step up and provide an event for its students that would re-enforce the commitment to the state of Israel and the community that supports it. So, in the matter of a few weeks we threw together an evening of solidarity. Student Acapella groups, the Consular General, Student leaders and the Idan Raichel Project all lent their support.

This whole evening caused a lot of sleepless nights, working until 3 am, phone cards, drives downtown and more. However, it was worth it. It was a great night. At one point, I realized that I had driven most of the idan raichel project in my car. They were a great group of people – I had Israeli superstars in the car! I drove them around (not one of them questioned my “Israeli-style” driving!) and they were great. Made some great friends out of it and hope to see them when I get to Israel in a few weeks. Anyways, it was a great night, our students seemed to really enjoy it and have a great time. I didn’t get to enjoy the concert so much, but I was able to learn how to do something this large scale. I worked with a great team and without them this wouldn’t have happened.

The many hours of planning, hundreds of emails, numerous meetings and late night panics were all worth it. It was an amazing evening. I’m glad it happened and I am glad that I was apart of it.

Mini-Israel Fest

With the concert starting us off, the rest of the week turned into a mini Israel fest. With shesh-besh tournaments, falafel lunches and more the week was packed with Israel programming. We ended with a Shabbat dinner that was for all campuses. Over 175 students came and enjoyed a great dinner. David Kilmnick, the guy form the Aliyah monologues and off the wall comedy in Israel, was our guest. Honestly, I cracked up It was funny. As he is a professional comedian you expect to laugh, and I did. Another new friend that I added to the Israel roster. David also performed at Yuk Yuk’s the following night. It was a lot of fun; our mutual friend Geremy came in for it, so that was great. It was a great weekend and some new friends were made.


Snow

It’s snowing right now. I actually drove in it. I have not driven in snow in a long time. We’re talking 3 years? I drove like an Israeli in snow. With only a little on the ground I was driving way under the speed limit, and overly cautious. I used to laugh in Jerusalem at the way people reacted, and I was the same way. I hate the snow. I’m not even going to drive to work tomorrow. Ok, that arrangement was made before it started snowing, but not the point… : )

Israel

So I will be there in 16 days. I cannot wait. I will be there for 3 weeks or so. It will be great to see everyone – hopefully everything will fit back into place and it will be a great few weeks.

Before I get to have a “vacation” in Israel, I will be staffing a birthright group. I have been sorting through files, reading as much as I can and getting to know each participant (even before I’ve met them!) It’s like wheels all over again. Should be a great time. If you are going to be in Israel during that time, let me know. I’m looking forward to it. Also while I am there I get to go to a good friends wedding, so I am really excited about that.

Things I can now check off the list:

Remember I said that I had that list of things I needed to do in Toronto? Well I was able to cross some things off.

1) Second City
2) Yuk Yuks
3) Raptors Game
4) Put on a large scale event
5) Eat chicken in the car in a parking lot


That’s all I can think of now. I need to sleep. Tomorrow night some friends from work and I will be going to see the James Bond movie. Should be a good time, I am looking forward to it.

That’s about it folks.


Leave a comment, bring me some excitement.

Nikki

Ps. Rachel, I had a steak and some roasted veggies. Mmmmm.

Catch Nikki "On-Tour"

HI everyone

I finally have my dates confirmed for Israel.

Dec 10-31 staffing birthright israel (will be all over the country...)
Dec 31-Jan 16 will be a wondering Jew. Will try to get all over the country to vist people and groups (as well as attend my friends Chaya and Hymies wedding!)

See you in Israel!