Hashtag #Pesach

Before I get into it, I’d like to take a second to recognize just how cool Estonia is

Listen to this Estonian band:

 

Tallinn Music Week: 4 – 6 April / 233 artists from 20 countries / http://www.tallinnmusicweek.ee <– Check out that lineup!

E-estonia: How did a small, post-Soviet nation transform itself into a global leader in e-solutions? Learn more here: http://e-estonia.com/

And well, there’s me of course:

It’s above freezing today, so naturally I’m sitting on a rooftop in Old Town..

 

 

Now do me a favor if you have Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook: I’ll use Instagram for this ‘exercise’  – I want you to search the hashtag “Pesach” or “Passover” or “Chag Sameach”

Take a minute or two to check out the photographs posted under the aforementioned #hashtags. These are Seder tables from all over the world. I’ll repeat, ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Here I go: Freely celebrating this holiday that commemorates an enslaved time nearly 3,300 years ago. Not only freely celebrating, but showing the entire world through photos, hashtags, and Facebook posts that Jewish people around the world are not ashamed. No, no, not ashamed.

Times like these reaffirm my total adoration for the power of Social Media (especially when it combines my favorite holiday).

20 years ago on the “Eastern Bloc”, where Soviet Expansion suppressed all forms of religion, matzah would not be a 12 year-olds Facebook cover photo. 10 years ago, no chance in hell would a group of teenagers feel comfortable with opening the door for Elijah in the middle of the city center – in a building built under Stalin, on a street that used to be called “Hitler highway”. But that happened last night. Celebrating freedom from suppression, from humiliation, from utter disdain and hatred – the meaning of Passover had never felt more real to me than it did this year (5773).

Growing up, my friends here didn’t celebrate Pesach at home –a reality that was reiterated to me at the Seder table on Tuesday night. “I was a Soviet kid” I was told, something I tend to forget as we live “normal”, day-to-day lives in Estonia.

I look back and see myself in public school (in Texas, mind you), proudly wearing my Star of David and bringing matzah to lunch. I was one of the three Jewish kids in elementary school, and by day 2 of Pesach I had my non-Jewish friends begging me for matzah. That was in 1996.

The teens that I work with in Estonia were born in the year 1996. The Soviet Union retreated in 1991. The Estonian Jewish Center was centralized and rebuilt in 1992. The only synagogue in Tallinn was built in 2007.

I have no idea how Pesach was celebrated between 1992 and 2012, but in 2013 (5773) I attended 3 Seder’s in Estonia – that’s 3 more than I expected to attend. The first night I went to the only synagogue located in Tallinn’s City Center; that evening, the synagogue hosted two Seders – one for Russian speakers and one for English speakers. I went to the Russian one.

I figured if I wanted comfort in an English Seder, I could go home to Texas – and I certainly wasn’t doing that. I sat near my friends and the other 20-something year olds as well as the President of the Synagogue and his wife. In no time, the President, his wife, and I spoke the language of wine and ensured our glasses were full before the Haggada told us to fill. I spoke my broken Russian, they spoke their broken English, and we sang the songs in Hebrew we both knew. I couldn’t help but smile the entire Seder knowing all too well that this is the experience I wanted. I wanted this. This is partly what I signed up for, and this is what I’m getting.

Russian Hagada with my name written in Russian letters

I’m in a county where taking pride in Judaism was unheard of not so long ago; and here I was, sitting at the Seder table celebrating my most loved Jewish holiday in the only synagogue in Tallinn. 60 other people around the room unafraid to be in the city center bitter-herbing their matzah and dipping their potatoes in salt water. Not only that, but I was speaking their language and connecting – something I don’t think I could have done 6 months ago. “Krasivaya devushka” the President’s wife would say to me as we “L’chaimed” to another glass – she was calling me beautiful. She whispered to my friends in Russian, “She looks like such a Jewish girl!” I giggled while my friends pointed at my overly-blushed face and said, “eta ocheen pravda!” or “that’s very true!” and proud of it.

I was so grateful for her warmth at my first Seder in Estonia. She gave me a comfort I didn’t think I missed while celebrating a holiday that’s usually so family-oriented for me.

The next night I went to a friend and colleague’s house for round two of Seder’ing. All in our mid-20’s and early 30’s, some pregnant, some recently married, some soon-to-be married, and some happily single (that’s me!). The Seder totally improvised; YouTube clips from ‘The Prince of Egypt’ and Louis Armstrong’s “Let my people go” displayed from the 3D flat screen TV. Angry Birds played between meals. The best part: As we went through the Haggadah, we played popcorn around the table and read aloud text in Estonian, Russian, Hebrew, English, Latvian, and Bulgarian.

All 12 of us spent 20-minutes searching for the Afikomen even after our search area options were narrowed to 2 rooms. A humbling experience. And as the night progressed, iPhones and Galaxy 3’s came out and photos projected of possible bachelors for the happily single; “No, no, next, next, not happening, meh, not bad, hook me up!” I think I was still wearing my 3D glasses throughout the selection process.

Oh, and then the strangest thing occurred! While engaging in a community Facebook’ing session, someone at the Seder table said, “I know some girl from Dallas”. I jokingly replied, “Yeah, I probably know her and the other 7 million people that live in that city!” But yeah, it happened, you guessed it. The dude pulled up a picture of someone I know very well. WHAT ARE THE ODDS? “We met in Spain at some bar”, he said. I questioned, “Did you tell her you were Estonian because I’m about to use Facebook like never before”. At 2:00am on the second night of Pesach in Estonia, I was talking to my friend in Dallas confirming she knew my friend in Estonia. “And I think to myself, what a wonderful world…”

This is why I love Pesach. The improvisation leads to more improvisation. I might add, whoever developed the Seder service, the visuals, and the grub really gave us stuff to work with. The Seder table holds so many multifunctional props that make going beyond the Haggadah and improvising so unbelievably appealing. This is what I’m all about though: Having positive experiences. It might be super reform, left, or not traditional of me, but it keeps me wanting more.

On Saturday night, I held a Seder at my apartment for teen leaders to celebrate a job well-done their first time being counselors at Estonia’s Spring Camp “L’haim 2013”. Remember when I mentioned them jumping up to greet Elijah at the door? It did happen, and here are some photos from the night!

Before Pesach, I was in Pedase, Estonia (about 60km from Tallinn) for Spring Camp. More like winter camp really, as the snow was very, very present. Like too present. One week full of dancing, singing, cool programs, no sleep, and carb-fueled camp style meals. Except unlike camp in Missouri, USA, they had tea for breakfast. Which was funny and cute to me, and once again proved I was not in Missouri or the United States of America.

Someone once asked me where I am truly myself. My answer to them was “camp”. The image of running around with blue paint all over my face, wearing two different pairs of shoes, and screaming a camp cheer with 50 kids around me is where I am so myself it hurts. So when I was able to do this once again at Estonia’s Spring Camp, you can imagine how ME I felt.

Co-counselors and staff would ask, “Jen, what do you think of camp in Estonia?” My response, “I love camp!” You might have tea for breakfast, sing the Birkat (blessing after the meal) a little differently, but to see kids jumping around to songs in Hebrew, coming up with their own cheers, getting dressed for Shabbat and feeling more connected than ever…camp is camp and camp is GOOD!

I’ve had a magical past 2 weeks here in Estonia, and am looking forward to much more. Please, just tickle my fancy one more time and check out those hashtags, Instagram photos, and Facebook posts. If you’re not into Jewish holidays or find it hard to wrap you head around how 3,300 years ago connects with modern times, don’t wrap your head around it. Know that it is a remarkably beautiful thing that anyone with a smart phone, a Facebook or Twitter account, feels empowered and SAFE enough to share their traditions with the rest of the world. Oh, and the best part is that people “like” it.

To #connecting,

Jenstonia – #Diyeinu

Soul Shaking – the 2013 BBYO International Convention in DC

Woof it’s been a while – thankfully, I found some time between Purim parties.

(Sidenote: Can’t believe I just said that) Anywho, while I’m here and you’re there and I have you if only for a few minutes…let’s do this.

There’s a great possibility I could have just returned home (Estonia) from one of the most deeply rewarding experiences of my young adulthood. Enriching, meaningful, impactful, whatever — there aren’t powerful enough adjectives that can describe every millimeter of your soul being shaken.

I traveled to D.C. for BBYO’s 2013 International Convention with 4 teens [2 from Estonia, 2 from Latvia] and 1 additional advisor [from Estonia]. This was their first trip to America.

Before leaving, I received phone calls, emails, or texts from teens saying, “Are you serious? Am I really going to America?” or “This has always been a dream of mine” or “I’m in shock. This can’t be real.”

You can imagine how this chilled every fiber of my being. I knew being able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime trip with them (and return to the Baltic’s) would not only cause me to break down in tears every minute, but be an extraordinary highlight of all of our lives together. To be able to return home with them and continue the conversations and reflect on the memories is a double blessing. To have a soul-shaking, immersive experience, and come home to let it wash away in the suds of your everyday, routine life at home is a shame. It was my goal from the very beginning to never let the post-BBYO convention spirit dwindle.

And so we departed for America.

  

Into the wind or “hambe kahle” as my Zulu-speaking friends and family say. We arrived with all passports and checked luggage intact, and were welcomed by a swarm of 40 teens from all over the world; more importantly, I had a Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks waiting for me. *Gulp*, 5 months too long.

Next thing I know I’m in an 8-person SUV with luggage stacked to the brim, 3 teenage girls from Argentina, 2 from Bulgaria, 1 JDC Fellow based in Ukraine in the passenger seat, 1 past JDC Fellow who was based in Latvia in the driver’s seat, and me. I proactively demand no jet-lagged Russian speaking in the car; I hug my Starbucks and listen to the sounds of international snoring fill the car on the 4-hour drive to Baltimore.

I feel the burbs and a JCC coming closer when I see the following commercial developments: David’s Deli, some non-chain Laundromat, Best Buy, Fro Yo, Target, Chipotle, 4 Starbucks, need I say more? I am really back in America. Oh. My. Development.

A very surreal feeling to jump back into the Suburbs of America, but I will say there is an unspoken comfort when walking into a JCC. Normally, I’m a tip-toer and hypersensitive to other people’s spaces and time, but I ran into the Baltimore JCC like it was the Dallas JCC [aka my second home].

The kids got cozy with their host families and adapted quickly to their slice of American life. Facebook posts and messages confirmed they were overly satiated mentally, socially, and digestively.

 

I could not wait to be sucked into BBYO convention-life; 1 week of 150 staff, 1600 teens, 52 international teens, thought-provoking speakers (meh, like Obama), cheering, panel discussions, deep conversations, the feeling of togetherness, and every day with Jewish elements scattered throughout. There are few things in this world that I value more than learning; so when it comes to seminars and conventions created for the sole purpose of expanding knowledge, I am a truly the science geek in the Natural History Museum. What can I say, it’s my ‘jam’. 

I reunited with many; fellow JDC Entwine Global Service Corps Fellows, co-counselors and campers from Camp Sabra, familiar faces from Dallas, people who’ve stumbled upon this blog, and so many more. One of the most gratifying things for me was to be a part of the International Delegation; while I could have easily been pulled toward Dallas-folk or even the Midwest, I felt such a strong sense of responsibility to be with the international staff and teens as much as possible. I was that kid 10 years ago completely infatuated with international delegates at conventions – to be a part of it was a dream come true. Really, it just showed me if I made the world my priority, the world would gracefully open itself up and let me be a part of it in some special way. This was special.

While there were truly incredible and inspiring moments, like… I don’t know… 52 International teens getting initiated into BBYO, the Hatikvah (Israeli national anthem) when more than 15 Israeli delegates hopped on stage, Nancy Carr’s speech, Obama’s speech, Susan Rice’s speech, I’ve gotta say one moment hit me the most:

Preface: I really pushed my kids to go to services on Friday night (Chabad is the only option in Estonia)

• I asked one of my kiddos on Saturday morning: “So, how were services last night?”
• Her response: “IT WAS SO COOL!”
• I had to step away for a moment and gather my heart that just spilled out of my chest. For a teenager to say that a Friday night service was “cool”… Hello!!!!!
• She continued, “I didn’t think services could be so fun! With songs and everything… At home it’s so hard to understand”

I knew this time in America would show them a world of Jewish pluralism; options, flexibility, engaging ways to connect to religion – I can’t imagine how deeply this peeked their curiosity to connect to the more traditional aspects of religion that really are just, as she put it, “hard”.

The rest of the convention was everything I wanted it to be: boisterous cheering under sleep deprivation, long nights of absolute absurd goofiness between staff, teens being completely independent (after the first day of awkwardness and clinging) and making friends from around the world, epiphanies, realizations, passion for the Jewish future, motivation for next year.

I’m back in Estonia only for a few days to catch some of the highest quality air (it’s true – #1 in the world), do Purim, make sure everyone remembers my face, and have some cool working conversations.

Off to Israel for a seminar with all the JDC Fellows (YAYY seminars) and then 3 days of Mediterranean vacation in Greece and Turkey! This year aint bad kids, it aint bad.

Hasta la pasta! Missed you all and talk soon after I’m all tanned and Greek-looking.

Jenstonia – #azabbgic2013

The Spirit of a Small Community

Sometimes I am taken by my current location

When the sky isn’t grey or white or “Baltic winter”, the sun’s rays do more than just bring Vitamin D and one less shiver

They shine upon buildings, on street signs, on knitted scarves protecting delicate faces

They nudge my feet to catch my head

They tell my heart to sew deeper

 They remind me

I am in the FSU, I am in Europe

I see preserved Soviet Stars and “õ ä ö ü” (oohhaooauuuu)

“Hah”, I giggle very acceptingly, I’ll never speak Estonian

 I feel trams swiftly moving beneath my over-socked feet

And cars gliding through brown slush on what’s left of the street

  

I pass cafes on every corner, some European-ly intricate, some Soviet-ly not

Free WiFi stamped on each window, 4 Euro for this cappuccino

“Aitah” I say as I walk out the door

But “aitah” they won’t say when they look at the floor

The mush from the street

Leaves the tile not so neat

But I learned long ago that verses nature…

Man can’t compete

 

I put my hands back in leather

Assured my cappuccino helps bear the weather

 

I look up, astonished, furry hood obscuring the view

Re-reminding myself, HEY, you live here too!

 

Then I get to go to a vibrant corner in the center of town, where passionate people work hard, and community is found.

The spirit immeasurable, the fight noteworthy

All for the purpose of keeping our small tribe enduring

 

Shared responsibility, Jewish Peoplehood, revival

All the things I yearned to feel

After many stories of survival

 

The spirit of a small community

Pure and true

Gives the feeling of togetherness

Me and You

 

Maybe just maybe

This shekel goes here, and that one there

Euro makes few, but they don’t just make do

They make history

They make future

“From Survival to Revival”

 

The spirit of a small community

Tallinn, Estonia

I wanted to try something a little different, and I’m almost positive rhyming is fun for everyone. Woops, that’s my last one I promise. This is my poetic attempt at casually taking you through everything I see, hear, and feel. I left smells out for no specific reason. So quit sniffing. The bigger part of this is “the spirit of the small, Jewish community”; it’s quite difficult for me to use words to portray the beautiful energy that exists here, but the main thing I wanted to leave you with is that with so little, they make so much. And they fight so hard to ensure the future generations are able to receive some things we may overlook or deem as “normal” in our upbringing. I am constantly surprised by the spirit and might of the leaders and involved members of the community, and I owe them so much for continuously re-lighting my Jewish fire and peeking my curiosity to explore further.

“But the people on the street, out on buses or on feet, we all got the same blood flow” – Amos Lee

New: Year, Residence, and Gym Memberships

Here I sit in a cozy bistro named “Bonaparte”, which can only shed some light on how unRussian-esque (this is a word) Estonia is. I know I fell asleep in every AP European History class in high school, but I’m pretty sure Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Russia in the 19^th century. In any case, no, I’m still not in Russia. I’m totally in Estonia; in fact, I would prefer if you called me Miss Jenstonia, RE (Resident of Estonia). Yep, you read that correctly, I am officially of resident status – but I’ll get to that a bit later.

HAPPY 2013, EVERYONE! I hope you all were able to celebrate the New Year in a wholesome manner- Lord knows I didn’t. Just kidding. Kind of. No but really, wishing you all a happy, healthy and most inspiring 2013! Stick to your resolutions, but when they start making you unhappy, stick-less, then stick again. Rinse. Repeat.

NYEstonia:

My New Year’s celebration began at 9:00pm on the 31^st and ended 10:30pm on the 1^st. The following things occurred: starters eaten at 10pm, Putin spoke at Midnight, sprinklers lit, fireworks shot in adjacent field – legally, walked in 2 feet of ice water to get to the Old Town, screamed Happy New Year in British accent with champagne bottle in hand for an hour, and made it back by 2am for the main course: salmon and thinly sliced roast potatoes. Mmm mmm. Johnnie Walker and I became the best of friends by 7am, and then I traded him for a little napski (Russian nap) on the couch until noon tea time. I stayed at my friends the whole day and we ate leftovers while movie marathoning our hearts out. I only left the couch once.

These may seem like such trivial details, but there’s something that struck me after the New Years haze faded: PEOPLE.

I get nauseas thinking about the glamorous, over-privileged New Year’s parties that exist throughout the world. The ones that cost a fortune and are too posh to really enjoy. When attire and handbag selection are top priorities. I know I’m being tough and judgmental, but not once did we discuss attire or logistics beforehand. Just be there at 9:00pm and expect to have a good time with good people. Wait, hold up, you didn’t know I had absolutely zero interest in talking about my New Years outfit a month in advance? Too cruel?

But really I had the best time. I never heard a whiny complaint or anything remotely negative. Though my socks were soaking wet from swimming into Old Town, nothing else mattered but being fully present with all those around us. We just giggled in unison as sparklers were lit and champagne glasses clinked. Estonia crew + some Latvians, you are truly a breath of fresh air for a Dallas Jewish girl who’s never cared about anything material except for descent running shoes and cappuccino. Thank you.

Community

Speaking of people, at 11:30pm on January 1^st, I had two American teenagers swing by and stay with me in Tallinn. They were representing BBYO, an international teen-led Jewish movement I was super involved with in high school. In 2 days I showed them my city, the Tallinn I fell in love with from day 1. They were shocked, just like I was, at how truly special the Jewish community is here. When describing the Estonian community, the local Rabbi said, “Because it [the community] is so small, people talk to each other, not about each other”.

 

This resonated hugely in my head. It was so true. As you know, I come from a major U.S. city and most of the information (good or bad) you hear about people is from other people.  Dallas is quite spread out on a geographic level, and you can see that this affects (positively and negatively) the community dynamics. I’m not saying that this is good or bad, I can only tell you how it felt to a middle-class Jewish girl from the ‘burbs. My culture was soccer, sports, art, curly hair club, Hebrew school, Sunday school, BBYO, Camp Sabra, etc. Nothing too Dallas-specific, hence why I don’t think I ever found love or deep appreciation for the city (or state of Texas rather). Except for Tex Mex.

I came from a city with at least 8 synagogues, which rightly so functioned like businesses and competed against one another. Reform vs. Conservative, Orthodox vs. Ultra Orthodox. I never saw integration, I never fully understood community. But I yearned for it. Ask my mother how many soccer, basketball, volleyball, track, art, local Synagogue, and BBYO meetings she took me to until I was 16. My teams were my subcommunities of the greater Dallas community. Finding community in 45,000 Jews in the greater Dallas area was, and still is, a struggle.

After 4 years in Lawrence, Kansas (population 200,000; Jewish students: 2,000), and 4 months in Estonia (population 1,000,000; Jewish: 2,000), I know Community and I know Culture – with capital C’s. Granted this strictly entails the Jewish Community, but now l know what it means to not only to be a part of, but to love and appreciate one. I am someone who needs to understand a concept in its’ most simple form in order to genuinely love (or dislike) something; I cannot be bothered by “things”, by rubbish, by unnecessary words or falsities. KU Hillel and the Estonian Jewish Community gave me this.

After this brief moment of reflection with the local Rabbi, the 2 American teens and I continued touring Tallinn. We surfed the cobble stones from Lower Old Town to Upper, learning Hanseatic history and fantastical myths of Medieval Tallinn from a local Community member. After a few hours one of the teens pointed out to me how often I physically point out to something that is my so-called “favorite”. Oh, what can I say, I love it all – except for the outrageous Euro/Scandinavian price inflation and black-iced roads… and DBI [death by icicle] copywrite JB.

Residence

It was during their visit when I found out Estonia accepted me as a resident. The next morning I rushed over to the Immigration Department to swoop up my ID card. Completely awestruck at the fact I had a personal identification number, and even more awestruck at my strategically posed Soviet “smile”.  Uhhhh Darwin, is this supposed to happen? Natural ex-Soviet adaptation?

Gym Memberships

I decided I would celebrate my residence with a gym membership; after my first gym session, I found that this was a real sign of settlement. The fact that I have a gym in Estonia. I wonder what symbolized settlement to early homo sapiens? Perhaps breeding or tool creation?

At any rate, I am no longer a tourist, a visitor, or someone just passing through. I am really a part of the Jewish community, I am really a resident, I am really someone who has a gym membership (non-binding contract, thank you). I have a freaking gym membership. I AM SO IN!

What’s next? A library card?

2013 y’all!

Jenstonia – Proud RE [Resident of Estonia] and Gym Member. 

View from Gym

23 in estonee: a birthday blog

Let’s just say this week has been full of surprises.

[No pictures for 5ish paragraphs due to context of surprise] 😉

Beginning on Monday with the Border & Immigration police pointing to December 19^th (my birthday) and reprimanding in broken English, “You must go back to America on this day.” My eyes widened, partially due to the dryness caused by the frigid winter temperatures. I curiously responded, “Does it have to be America?”

“UK, London, Africa, just not in Europe”.

I thought, “Okay, okay, I can work with that.” I traveled the globe in my head… for free.

I made eye contact with my supervisor who was also serving as my translator and instantly shook the romantic thoughts. Back to mirroring the police and putting my Estonian government-worker face on; AKA: Serious and stoic, yet secretly yearning for light and goofy energy.

After another day at the Department on Tuesday, my boss exclaimed, “Wouldn’t it be the best birthday present ever if Estonia lets you stay in the country?!” My eyes went to the right and my head slowly nodded, “Best birthday present everrrr”, I said in an uber-American accent, drawing out the “r” until my brain signaled for an emergency breath.

After a lot of Estonian and a little (or zero) understanding, my boss looked at me concerned, insisting, “Let’s meet tomorrow at 11am to discuss this Visa issue…”

2 words pop in my head, “Oh” and “Shit”.

OH SHIT.

With visa stress combined with annual birthday stress, I think my coworkers knew the only 2 words that had the power to fight off these demons: SUSHI and WINE.

 

Sushi and wine and everything’s fine. I went to bed Tuesday evening digestively and intoxicatingly coated to perfection.

I awoke to Skype and FaceTime calls, emails, and various other messages. My birthday arrived and I felt far from alone with all the non-harmonious ringtones singing. I ate breakfast and opened presents on Skype with mom, FaceTimed with my best friend in the States who has the same birthday as I do, and said goodnight to them as I got ready for my day. A little apprehensive to leave my warm apartment and not only bear the coldest day to date, but have another discussion about my visa.

I took myself, my 2 pairs of pants, stepped outside and welcomed my 90^th day in Estonia. A very important number to the Border & Immigration Department. I walked to the 2^nd floor of the Community and noticed the lights were MIA. I slowly rounded a corner and saw candles flickering through a glass door. I stopped. Meh, probably for a little too long. One of my supervisors motioned me forward, with her face saying, “come on Jen, you can do it, don’t be scared”.

I walk into a dark room only lit by candles and heard, “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jennifer Rachel Berman” in perfect English. Someone tells me to make a wish, demanding that it can’t be one about my current visa status. I blow, and I am stuttering in my brain which obviously means I am speaking gibberish from my mouth.

The lights turn on. All my favorite people, some holding flowers, some holding gifts, all holding smiles. I can’t find the words. Part of me wants to cry, part of me wants to jump on everyone with excitement, part of me wants to melt into a little ball and say “awww” for 10-minutes.

Touched. I am so touched. We sit, eat cake, and I stare, totally mesmerized by the people in the room and the fact that they cleared their morning schedules to celebrate someone they’ve only known for 90 days. I’ve got good eggs all around me.

I’m not even at my desk for 30-minutes and 2 teens come from school to sing me happy birthday. In perfect English again,but just freshly Googled. The rest of the day was lovely and light, drastically different from the past 2 days.

The evening brought on another surprise in that I might have had the best Chicago-style pan pizza EVER. As they “cheersed”, I watched the glasses clinking and felt a warmness come over me; partially in utter disbelief that I could be 90 days in a new country, surrounded by a solid group of good friends. Already feeling comfortable enough to yell/whine for English when my brains too tired for Russian… Now that says something.

I engaged in many fits of uncontrollable laughter – to the point of tears and significant pizza calorie burning.

As we put on our gloves and coats, I thanked them for celebrating with me and for making my day so special. The words “thank you for being born” floated through my ringing ears and settled comfortably in my brain. Thank you for being born. Jesus, guys.

What a remarkably special day it turned out to be; honestly, I was a little anxious and so not looking forward to waking up alone in a quiet apartment on my birthday. Usually, I’m cool with it and I rock some tunes to offset the silence, but this was a definite first for a birthday. With technology, thank G-d, I was far from alone. The rest of the day, I was far from it too.

The great news is I’m staying in Estonia, although I can’t travel beyond its’ borders for the next 30 days. Good thing there’s a thousand Estonian islands. I wonder how big the country would be if all the islands were pushed together and added to mainland Estonia? Think about it.

Normally this time of year I would be hopping standby flights to avoid winter in Texas and enjoy summer in South Africa; this includes spending Christmas in the Atlanta airport and not thinking twice about leaving my coat behind. This year I definitely won’t be escaping winter – in fact, I legally cannot. It’s probably not even a good idea to be near the airport, and it’s definitely not a good idea to leave my coat behind. Polar opposite, but it’s what I signed up for! Bring it on.

By the way, Dr. Oz says persimmons and pistachios are good for fighting cardiovascular disease. I thought you should know.

Merry almost-Christmas! Enjoy the spirit of the holidays and spread some joy!

Blurg,

Jenstonia – stayin’ in Estonia. No really, I can’t leave.