Where to ... next?
Nineteen years ago I met America. I had spent the month of October visiting Buffalo to see if the offer of studying at the University could become a reality for me. I fell in love with fall, the cold, open spaces, choices, hot fudge atop butter crunch ice cream on a brownie, and most of all, the chance for a fresh start. Less than a year later I returned to begin my American adventure. One that would change me inside and out, grow me up, and give me the greatest gift of all: freedom to keep [my] channel[s] open!
On Halloween night, nineteen years ago I boarded a plane to return to Israel to tell my fourteen-year-old son, "Yes, it's a go!" When he asked me what America was like, I replied, "It's just like one big sit-com."
I remember being in New York City, looking for a cab to the airport. Dark and cold and everyone running to and fro. What a strange land, I thought at the time. How different, exciting, how child-like.
So let me see now: I lived the first nineteen years of my life in Zimbabwe (what was Rhodesia); the second 19 in Israel; and if my calculations are correct, by this time next year it will be nineteen years in the U.S. of A.
"Ooh, ooh ooh ..." methinks, "where to next?"

Wow, a world citizen. Are you really thinking of taking flight?
Posted by: Rhea | October 31, 2006 at 01:32 PM
Where to next? "Come with me to the Cash Bar."
But wait... that send-up of the oddball old movie line is probably lost on someone who spent those early years so far away from American cartoon culture.
here's a reference point...
http://www.pitch.com/Issues/2006-03-09/dining/cafe.html
Posted by: fp | October 31, 2006 at 07:18 PM
Rhea,
No I am not thinking of taking flight physically - like to a new country (although one never knows what the future holds) but I *am* curious about the next nineteen years. I think I might be moving on psychologically though, because I am feeling so much more confident and changed in ways that are still unfolding.
Hey fp!
You are right - I had to look up that expression - at first it was "lost" on me!! But, you know me - an fp fan always and forever - cash-bar, cashah! - wherever you go there I'll be!
Thanks so much for the link and trackback.
Posted by: tamarika | November 01, 2006 at 08:56 AM