This Friday, I finally got the taste of southern love back in my life. The feeling came from the most unexpected get together. I called me friend Danny (my junior year prom date... small world) to see what he was up to. He moved to the city about a month or so before me, had a job and quit it all within 3 weeks and is now back on the hunt. We had not seen each other since a random run-in while in Israel a few months ago- so what better time to get back together. We made plans to hang out Friday night. He asked me if I wanted t0 come with him to Chabad dinner. Typically, I would have said no, but seeing as I am trying this new adventure of, if there is no good reason not to do something- why not, I accepted the invitation.
We met up with his cousin Michael who is studying in New York and my friend Erica from back home. We all walked into the Rabbis house- greeted by other young adults around our age. The candles were lit and the first glass of wine was drank. As I sat at the end of the table, I looked around at the 3 friends I came with and the others sitting around the table. Everybody came to this dinner for about the same reason- a sense of belonging and trying to find a connection with other people. We all went around the table, introduced ourselves- name, where we were from and one thing, good or bad, about this past year that was a defining moment. A couple across the table from me had just gotten engaged, a girl from Toronto just lost her job that day and made the decision to return to Toronto. When it was finally my turn- there was only one thing I could think of to say, "my life right now is a defining moment." Because everything I am doing, every person I meet, every museum I go to, every new expierance I jump into defines who I am becoming.
What I have noticed about myself in the past week or so is that I am finally becoming more comfortable in doing my own thing- exploring by myself. I can go to a park, sit on a bench alone and read for an hour or so and be content. Before I moved here, having someone to do something with all the time was 100% necessary, but now, I am ok whit just being with me. This aspect of myself is still evolving- but its all in the name of progress. But back to the Chabad story...
The food was delicious and the wine seemed to be never ending. We said all the blessings, which no matter how long it has been- the Shabbat prayers are like riding a bike, you never forget. The Rabbi and his wife were extremely welcoming and grateful that they could host everyone at their house. Now, the intensity of the Rabbi and some of his ideals are not typically my style, but learning why other people believe in what they do is always intriguing to me. All in all, the experience was amazing. I was able to be apart of a community for a dinner and I was given a sense of home, being surrounded by friends from Georgia.
I guess what adults tell me is true- sometimes you just need the people who knew you when you were young. Taking these adventures and leaps of faith right now not only are giving me a sense of self, but making me realize where I want to go in the future and where I want to be. And if I didn't already know this before, its now been solidified in my mind, I want to be near my parents. There is no greater feeling of home than when I am around them. So, mom and dad, I'm going to play up in the big city for awhile, but in a few years, don't you worry, where ever you are is where I want to be.
Lesson Learned:
Even if their opinions differ, getting into conversations with religious leaders is fun a challenging.
Peace, love and home friends,
B
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