Switching fields

Did you ever dreamed of changing the work you do? I don't mean just switching to a different company, I mean really going from Doctor to lawyer? Account to teacher? 

I just switched from teaching to baking. It is learning everything from scratch. It is knowing nothing and building up. The last time in my working career that I felt like this, I was 19 and started working at a preschool. I knew a bit about kids and I had just a little of experience. It was hard, but I don't recall it been so hard as this switch has been.

I officially started working at a restaurant called PANI Deli 10 days ago. Do I have baking experience? Yes, some! I used to bake at home, plus I did a 4 months internship at another place called Maru Botana.

But this, this job has been different. First it as been an adaptation into the amount of physical work it takes. I get home exhausted, muscles I never knew I had soooo soared! But that, that is not even the point.

The point is that I have been left alone in the kitchen... Jajaja, I know how to make certain things, and I believe the kitchen is a try an error kind of thing. Definitely I learned from my mistakes, and definitely I won't be making them again!! 

It get a bit frustrating, going home everyday and knowing you messed up! I get to work all happy, so enthusiastic, and the minute I get to the kitchen BOOM! The news hit me, I messed up! 

It's not the messing up part that gets me upset, because yes we learn from our mistakes, is more the WTF! Again! And even when I thought I did everything good! Yesterday the thought crossed my mind... What if I go back to my old job, I was good, I was reasonable happy!

But then, I think we only have one life to live! We came here knowing nothing and everyday is an opportunity to learn, to become better, to experience, to feel.

As Pierre Curie said: you have to turn life into a dream and turn the dreams into reality.

I been wanting to learn baking and pastry for many years, this is the time, the opportunity, and not because I failed I need to dropped it.

Happy to keep trying, keep learning, and continue making life sweeter.

Te quiero

Un té quiero. Un té quiero que ilumina, un té quiero que saca sonrisas.

Hay te quieros que sonrojan y hoy te quieros que llegan al alma.

También estás esos te quieros que dicen tanto y los que dicen tan tan poco.

Un té quiero no es un té amo pero es UN TÉ QUIERO.

a diferencia del Inglés, el español tiene al "te quiero" para dar esos mensajes que no son extremistas. Para dar esos mensajes que ponen contento al otro, y q le dan ganas de seguir apostando.

Siempre fui una persona cariñosa y de un té quiero facil; con los años y la movida a Miami el té quiero se sumó más valor, y resto uso (frecuencia en el ser usado). Conocidos, colegas, estudiantes, amigos usaban el "I Love You" y por más q me ponía contenta escucharlo se volvió rutina y perdió su valor.

Con la idea de la "primer estadia" (es decir, septiembre-diciembre) lo escuche con más frecuencia. Mis amigas, si, MIS AMIGAS, lo usaban, me lo decían, me sacaban sonrisas y me gustaba escucharlo. 

Luego con la visita de una amiga "yanki" lo uso también y ahí es cuando pensé, pucha, este viaje no sólo me mueve a mí sino a mis alrededores también.

Aguante la libertad de expresión!!!! Jajaja, no q antes no la tuve! Sino q es bueno darte cuenta q hay amistades q lo siguen usando, no sos vos la q lo dice, sino q te lo dicen! 

Y porq no después de 16 años, esos te quiero re validan amistades de ambos lados del charco. Amistades nuevas y viejas, de siempre y del momento. Amistades cercanas y las un poquito más lejos. Esas amistades q se dice todo con una mirada, pero que los abrazos llenan el alma.

En este 14 de febrero no sólo celebremos el amor de pareja, porq ser pareja es ser compañero, ser compañero es ser amigos y ser amigos es lo más lindo que hay en este mundo.

Vivan las amistades que llenan el alma, las que te reís sin parar, las que te levantan cuando te caes (sin importar cuantas veces te caigas) y las q dicen te quiero.

LAS QUIERO AMIGAS!

LOS QUIERO AMIGOS! 

Following your gut feeling

(Picture taken on Friday, January 29 when I got lost and went to the wrong place, I ended in one of the most iconic places in BsAs. Obelisco 10am)

Its about time, that I start feeling the need to start sharing some of the adventures I am experiencing here in Argentina.

Last week I read a blog post from a friend that talks about been out of the comfort zone and thy where the magic happens. Well, precisely I just finished reading all seven books of Harry Potter for the very first time (I believe that kind of magic exist too, the idea of a parallel world).

While working at Hillel, often I would find my self hearing the same questions from students: "your life is so cool, how come you are traveling? How come you always have a story? How come you are always in a new adventure?" And then I would tell the same answer: my parents taught me very well the concept of saving. But now, I can tell them it's more than the saving to have enough money to be able to do this, it's really taking all your emotions, courage, strength, and truly following your gut, that this decision is the best decision for YOU right NOW.

How did this adventure started?

It was the day after my birthday, I called Karen to share with her that I wanted to enroll in Pastry school but I was too scare because of the money and time commitment, to which she simple reply: "why don't you come here, to BsAs to take couple of short classes and then you could go back, and you'll be more certain about it". From that point on, all happened very fast: classes were starting in 20 days, I reach out to a famous pastry chef asking about school info and she offered me an internship."

Well, not only I loved the classes but I was the happiest everyday I spent in the kitchen. Everyday that went by I found my self thinking how much I enjoyed it. I spoke with some university professors, spoke to the administration, and all pieces were fitting in the puzzle for me to stay here for the year. WHAT AN YEAR??? 

I left Miami super convinced that I'll be back, its only 2 months. No way I would stand BsAs! (Although the decision making process was not an easy one) i would find my self saying.

So, going back about decision making, following your gut... Yes, we learned the most, we have the most fun, when we are outside our comfort zone. It is completely scary, I would find my self thinking: alone, in Argentina, but it's not israel; what about safety, money, friends (all my friends have their lives set, will they have time for me, will I be making new friends?) what if I don't enjoy the cooking? What if school is boring? What if I realize this is not for me? What if my parents do not support this project? What if.... ?What if.....? All those questions, going 9837737383 miles an hour on my head. 

And this are times where we need to listen our hearts... They are close to the gut feeling, Jajaja. My heart was saying YES!!! Do it!!! Yes, I'll feel alone at times; yes, there will Be things I don't like; yes, money is an issue, I have no saving money given that I spent it all over the summer traveling; yes, it's not the safest place; YES I WANT TO DO THIS! 

And like that, I took a deep breath, talked to my parents (whom I am forever thankful that they support me in this adventure), enrolled in school, and over a yummy pasta bowl and a bottle of wine, I told my friends I would be staying for the year. 

They are thrilled, they are happy, they supportive, they are my marketers, my number one encouragement, my favorite testers; and yes, they have their own lives, but so they did the ones in Miami. Yes, I can make new friends as I did in Miami, Israel, SF, and every place I been. 

Couple of years ago a friend gave me a box of encouraging phrases by Louise Hay to keep handy... I love the one that says "I turn every experience in an opportunity" and some how this is my moto in life.

This is an adventure, this is a journey, it is important to think about it this way. I can always say I want to go back and I can always say another day another experience. 

Been in Argentina so far has given me the chance to experience it as an adult, to work, to learn, to meet, to reconnect, to eat, drink, visit, shop. I left when I was a kid, sure the Argentina of today is not the one from before, but I'm not the same one either.

Not all decision would bring positive outcomes, but even failing is a positive one because you would learn from your mistakes! 

So, if you find your self thinking about that one thing, that scares you but you are completely confident that is the one thing you need to do, JUST DO IT.

Today, I promise to share more about the experience, the journey, the lessons learned, the failure ones, and the most funny stories.

Its the journey not the destination

During the last couple of days I been thinking about the trip and what it meant. Right now i am sitting in the last plane of the trip from philly to miami. 

Its funny how life plays you around. On the flight from TLV to Philly I changed   my sit to  a mom whom wanted to sit next to her kid and end up sitting next to a guy who was traveling with his family to detroit. We spoke a lot and when he was telling me his life story and how he end up in the biology field he said¨ you need to enjoy the journey, it not the destination would not make sense. 

And its true!  for the last 80 days i been on a journey of self discovery. Not that i went into this trip looking for something specific, but yes, into finding my self and where is it that i am in life at my almost 31 years of age. 

I keep thinking and i cant believe 80 days went by! not 10, 20 or 30, 80 days!!! in a nut shell each and everyone of those days gave me a lesson to learn and a memory to treasure. 

I took 40 amazing kids to israel for their first time! it was the best group I had ever led! they wanted to play, learn and have fun in the most pure way! they let mejoke around with-at them, we learnt together and each of them showed me a way to their heart.

Then... then came turkey! as a woman, solo traveler! what an experience! yes, its safe, yes, noone speaks english, yes its cheap, but most of all, yes it is super fun and beautiful! i fell in love with a culture as far and different as mine, i understood a different way of living that has similar values us we do. I met wonderful people who became friends and I am better by having them in my life. 

I enjoyed the pleasure of having no plans, doing nothing, have no internet and feel wonderful. I was able to make peace with my self and understand that it is ok to enjoy time in bed, that it is ok not to have plans and have an amazing time by the surprises that life gives you. I learned to trust people who you just met, because they are also trusting you and why not... everyone is as guilty until proven the other way

And then, after a month of traveling, one night I got the most fullfiling hug I did not relizaed i missed until i got it. I met with my aunt and uncle that I chose. How wonderful it was not only seeing them, spending time, and just sharing stories, ctaching up, as normal as if we were in miami or ba... but no, we were in zagreb, croatia! who would have said! priceless to spend every minute with them, and then off to more adventures.

La guapa arrived with new vibes and plenty of attitude to have a good time. laughing was part of the daily menu. we drove up and down, east and west around croatia. we saw the most beautiful sunsets, drove in the most undriven roads, talked trying to solve the most random world issues and become strong advocates for love and life.

One day (weeks before this journey begun) I decided it was time to get back to the basics. To try to understand a bit deeper on why we as jew do the things we do and the meaning behind things. I enroll at pardes! no, im not becoming more observant, yes i loved every single minute of it. it was challenging as few things in life have been. was it perfect_ yes, i got out of it what i needed. i was placed out of my comfort zone in many aspects-- finding a study partner - thank you joey and boss- i met wodnerful teachers who are willing to alwways sit with you listen to your perspective, learn something new and have lots of paatoence to help you grow as a human being. thak you yaffa, nechama, mike.

Of course, with been in israel comes meeting and spending time with old friends. we wwent to school toegther , some of us were good friends others were just school friendss, with every trip we become closer and i treausre each of our conversation. i thinnk that without been aware we took turns and shared played therapist, we had the mmost honest and sincere covnersation without been afraid of been judge. we put thinggs out in the table and take pleasure into listening to each other as time never went by. what i think we do not realize is that time does go by, and times brigns us closeer together making us stronger and wiser. 

There are the friends i made in israel. sharing work stuff, our private lives, and that connection with strangers that always makes you stronger. it does takes me sometime to maake new friends when i am in a big group of peoplpe. may be 3 weeks is too short and soemtimes too much. i take my time to open up and feel comfortable calling aand meeting people, but when i do i know it is the right one! i met wonderful friends at pardes, many of which i am sure we will continue crossing our paths and why not continnuing learnign together. 

I read, and read, and read! was taken into differnt worlds  by words that gave meaning and built scenaries to the most beautiful love stories. each and every of those story madde me aware of how the world is and those realities we built in order not to be fully tthere. but if i am certain of what i learnt is that we need to let the reality sink in. there is no better feeling than feeling alive. and if we fail, so what_ we take the opportunity and wwe learn.  and if we fell again, even better we will continue learnign.

But most of all i thank my self for having the courage of making and taking  the decisions i feel i am rigght. i thank myself for understaidng that been scare is ok, and if I am confident that thhis is the right choice no one will be able to bring me down. i thank my slef for been able to continously challenge my slef taking my self out of my coomofrt zone to learn and grow, to feel and live, to experince and realize. 

This journey has been a great! one to treasure since the moment i made the deicsion, i bought the ticket, every hotel i booked, every meal i had, every dollar i spent, every conversation i had, every person i met, every new day, every bus-plane-train ride, every  book i read, every souvenir i bought, every beer i shared, every magnum i had, every word spoken, every language learned, because each of one of those memories of its own its what makes this journey so increddible. becasue the growth i went thru it so personal that i feel different. 

I bet it is no coincidence that i decided to go into this journey right before starting my 3 ddecade. beacause as someone recently told me. i am 30

I raise my glass and click save in my memory to always been able to make the decision that feels right for me! to many more journeys like this one!!!

Cesme, Turkey- 6 days

Havent written in the last couple of days.. who know why! My last 10 days in Turkey have been quite a roller coaster! 

All good things. When I said goodbye to Rosa I traveled to Izmir: a city on the coast, where you can go o beaches and some ruins. As the bus pull in to the city there was a something that made me feel lots of negativity. Not sure what, just did not like the energy of the people, the energy of the city. 

Stayed there for 2 nights. On the day of arrival which it was almost 5pm, went to the marina, ate lunch while reading a book and watching the sunset who was fightthing the cliuds to come in. 

On Day 2 I visited Ephesus. At this point in the trip an after seeing so many ruins, it was just another city. Yes, it huge, yes it has been preserve very well. yes i had a blast taking some pictures but no more than that. The night before I met an Argentinean girl, Paola (I know she will thank me for the girl compliment) and we went together. We had a good time, ate some turkish lunch.

From here I left to Cesme where I had in mind to spend 2 days. I arrived to a hostel/hotel big but small. It was quiet. It was beautiful with white walls and blue touches. It had a pool, lots of flowers and lots and lots of good energy. I was given my own room and met an american boy which I would reserve the comment becuase it is not worth it to talk bad. 

Every day I went to a different beach: Altinkum, Ilica, Dayla, Alacati. Long empty beaches. Dark deep blue sea with soft white beaches. Each beach no more than 10-15 minutes away from where I was staying. 

Cesme itself is a typical beach town: sunsets, sea breeze, lots of people in summer mode, little hotels and supermarkets, almost no cars and above all things it was quiet and it gave peace. 

On Shabbat I decided not to use the phone for all of Saturday. Spent the morning reading by the pool. Motze Shabbat I bought a coloring doodle book and had a relaxing dinner by the sunset as I colored in. Bought a new book and finished it 3 days!

On Sunday night I went to a local restaurant where they served home made Turkish food very very cheap and very very good. Of course I brought my book along! not only I enjoyed the food but the fact that I sat there for 1.5 hrs reading, laughing and enjoying the moment made it promise myself that at least once a month I should do the same in Miami.  How beautiful it is not to have the phone and get carried away by a book, by its fantasy and its stories. Truly a peaceful experience. 

On Monday morning I met Gosha: polish girl who was sharing the door room with me and it happen that we both wanted to go windsurfing. When I woke up I felt lazy and thought about not going but when i spoke to Gosha and she was going I was convinced!

What a great day! now the regreat is not have coming before and doing it for more than a day! I met Derek (the instructor) who was great! we had a great laugh! after passing out in my chair of exhaustion- now it makes it harder to understand how durng all those years my dad would sit all 3 of us and take us for a ride! wow!!! not only kol haàkavod but the energy of after also having to deal with us! jajaja.

Dereks girlfriend was doing yoga with 2 ladies and I joined it! I got 2 classes for the price of one! jajaja.

With Gosha we went to eat dinner to Alacati: a quite expensive area for Turkish people. We sat at a restaurant who served only traditional Turkish food. It was the most expensive meal I had in Turkey and it was one of the best ones. When I say most expensive we paid $25 each! jejeje... I been use to eat for $10.

This gave the closing to a perfect 3 weeks in Turkey! A country who is beautoful, amazing, and unique! A country whos people are warm and caring, whose food is tasteful and spicy, its fruits and veggies are super cheap. Cheers to Turkey! I will be back!

A day in paradise

Blue water surrounded by mountains. In the far distance but you can clearly see it, there is a mountain with snow. To my left tens of gorëk boats sailing. Little houses spread around the mountain. Just like a movie! The Turkish flag waving from the boat. The sun is strong, there are white strokes of clouds on the sky. The breeze is cold and fresh, the smell of the sea is refreshing and makes you feel alive. 

We are on a Görek boat visiting the 12 Islands. On this boat we will stop on 5 islands spending an hour on each of them and then going back. Lunch is included with choice of chicken and fish: of course chicken!

The boat had capacity for 75 people, it's low season, thank god there are no more than 25 people today. The boat is divided in 3 areas with foam things to lay down. We sit on the top own, it's the quiet one and away from all the chaos.

On the first stop I see two boys jumping of the boat into the water and of course I'll do it (it reminded me of the time I did the same in Eilat). The water is warm on the top and super duper cold on the bottom. As I jumped and my body hits the water its a shock! With the jumping you go so deep that on the way back you have time to make sure everything is in the right spot! Jajajaja

The water is clear! Not Miami clear, drinking water clear! You can see the bottom, the sun reflecting deep under.

We swam to a cave! It's so cool! I thought this things you could only see them in movies or pictures! Never thought I would be able to see them first hand.

Once back in the boat it's lunch time! A nice buffet table is made with 4 different salads and a nice grilled chicken is served! Omg! The fish was served as an actual fish an everything, face included! 

We met two boys and sat together. They are from Turkey: Tavil from Istanbul visiting his friend Azis who works in Fethiye. They are nice, down to earth, and fun.

Some of the islands were beautiful and some other ahhh not so much, but the entire situation made everything beyond beautiful, picture perfect!

It's 5 o'clock! Time to sail back to Fethiye but... Upssss, the engine does not start! Jajajaja. The fact that we were not so many it was a very relaxed (at least for us, the captain and crew were soooo concern) we even were thinking how cool to sleep under the stars and see the sunset out there!  Well... After 30 mins they make the engine work but now.... Ancla it's not coming up! Jajajaja... The entire crew, 5 people including captain, had to pull it up.

It took them 20 minutes to been able to bring it up! 

Now yes, ready to sail back I say with my legs hanging out, facing the islands with Fethiye on my back. The breeze is cold and fresh, the view is breathtaking. It was one of the moments were the best picture I could take was the one with my eyes! Treasure this views, smells, and feelings forever! 

People that made a difference

In every human interaction there is a relationship been form. With those interactions we are offer the opportunity to create an impact and build on memories that will be remember.

There are few people that deserve a special post! These are the people who made by stay in Kapadokya unique!

-Killian 

French guy, with red long curly hair.  He has such a peaceful aura, a beautiful smile, and radiated lots of positive energy. We started talking as if we had known each other for years! How great and amazing what he is doing: wasn't happy at work and decided to quit and travel for a year with two goals: no airplanes and China will be final destination. Personally I think he might be going after that if money and body are ok.

His family spread around the world! Has 3 brothers living in Canada, Russia and France. Has done quite some traveling around the globe. 

He is funny, silly, and very talkative. Killians like certain structures and sets short goals in order to keep the traveling going. He shared stories and you know that good things happen to good people because his energy is sooooooo good that it attracts the best of each of us. He is very easy going.

He got a smart phone for the trip. He does not have Facebook neither Instagram, he uses no social media. Every month or so he send a hand written letter to the parents where he adds some pictures from that part of the trip. In addition he sends postcards to some good friends and family.

It was a plus meeting him! It had brought a different perspective to the traveling, had encourage me and made me gain confidence about the next steps in these journey. I hope our paths cross again. 

-Fati: souvenir shop seller man.

 He was laughing at how much time we spent taking pictures of the evil eye tree. I don't blame him: we spent at least 10 minutes.

He asked us where we are from and when I say Argentina he starts talking about mate. He confessed that he tried smoking the Yerba to see if it would have similar effects than weed! Jajajajajajajajajaja. The more I think about it the more I laugh!

We talked for 10 minutes, helped him attracting tourist, I bought the snow globe from him. He asked me to add him on Facebook and gave us some suggestions on how to continue the trip. We spoke about couch surfing and he laughed on how Rosa and I choose the host!

-Burdham: the guy who gave us a ride. 

Guy in the mid forties! Couldn't be more thankful that he stopped! We could have been soooo wet! We did some quick conversation. He gave us some suggestions on things to do in the valley but we did not understood him. He had a thick accent. First ride we get from the trip.

-Bold: Julia's friend

He claims he is 37yrs old. He looked like in his mid fifties. Hard to believe. Julia met him thru couch surfing. He hosts his guests at the carpet shop and helps them arrange cheap tours and thins to do. He owns a carpet shop: "The flying carpet".

Since we met him he was friendly and welcoming. He sent his friend to a town 30mins away to buy Kapadokya home made wine for us! :) he also gave us suggestions on what to do, and explained us about the history and designs of carpets.

-Adem: Oz Cappadocia (bike, ATV, scooter shop owner)

 We met him on Thursday morning when we rented the bikes. He is so good looking and has beautiful blue eyes. He is friendly, likes to talk, laughs a lot, and is very helpful. 

We rented 2 bikes from him. He gave us a good deal and explained the places we should go, how to get to them and what to do in case of a flat tire!

When we returned the bikes and we ask him to reimburse us some money for earlier drop off, instead he invited us on an ATV ride at 4:30 to get some pics for his flyers.

He was soooo much fun during the ride! He made jokes all the time, made us feel welcome and comfortable! 

During our stay in Göreme we kept going to visit him and we were always welcome with a smile and a hug! Totally recommend Oz Capadoccia!