Well we had a good holiday to Israel, London and New York. We were away for about four weeks. It was lots of travelling - 8 flights and not 4. So much for global airline alliances making life easier. But it was just good to see so many people - not everyone we would have liked, but a lot.
Israel was crazy as expected as we organized a shipment and emptied out our apartment in Modiin. Not helped by Ben being pretty under the weather for much of the time there. Probably working too hard before we left and spending my working day in an recycled air-conditioned bubble. We did get to see many Krengelim (Sharon's cousins) including some from South Africa and Yitzhak's bar mitzvah party get together. The latter was amazing - totally wowed - I don't think I was getting up and singing and addressing (totally eloquently) loads of people at that age. Lily slept through most of it but said she had a great time.
Also got to see Libby and Avi (who were and continue to be amazing), and Ruthie and her family and my old colleagues from Unicorn / IBM. It was great to hang out in the IBM foyer and see all those smart funny people again. Working with you has very positive memories for me and it was just great to chat and see how you are all doing and you all look great. We also got to see Dan and Ada, and Melanie and Marcus and Richard and Lisa and Gaby and Stephen, Dina and Gilad, and Miriam and many others. Then we spent three hours in the bank and had the pleasure of visiting the municipality and a lawyer and the post office etc etc...
Then it was off to London to stay at my mum's place. Spent loads of time with Abi and Deborah and mum which was great - thanks for making such a big effort. Sharon met up with an old school friend from Australia and we saw a bunch of old friends. I feel very privileged to be able to stop by every year or two or three and be able to catch up just like that. It's great to see how everyone's lives have developed and to see quite a few kids get bigger. Big thanks to Louise and Dave especially for letting your house be invaded. I wish you all lived here in Sydney.
New York was great too. Just seemed to see lots of friends and eat lots of amazing food and do a bit of shopping. Good to be back in Park Slope and we had an amazing brownstone to house-sit in - thanks to Sharon T for organizing that. We also camped out at Elyse and Bruce's place for the last weekend. We didn't really know Bruce so well when we lived in Brooklyn but he is really quite funny - thanks for your hospitality.
And after so long it was just good to be back in our own beds again. Going back to work was a bit of a shock but we are back into it now. I didn't look at work email once the whole time away (which was unprecedented and great). The kids have one more term and then the summer holidays start. We're back at the beach with it's ever changing rhythms. The days are getting longer. We have the painters in. The grass is a disgrace. Antibiotics have killed ouff my five week yucky cold. Life is basically good.
There are some photos from London here and New York here and a mishmash of others here.
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