So.... we're moving!

Hi friends!  The cat is officially out of the bag, and as expected we are getting a million questions! 

a picture of Herzliya, our new 'hood

                                       


So wait, what? You are moving...where?

• Israel.  More specifically, Herzliya Pituah, located just north of Tel Aviv.  Its a gorgeous coastline city that is steps from the Mediterranean. More info on Herzliya here.  We have a house with PLENTY of room for visitors (hint hint) and a yard for Ledoux (when you live in AZ grass is something to be very excited about!)  Best of all, we are a 5 minute bike ride/walk to the beach.  We are 15-20 minute bike ride from Tel Aviv, and about a 45 minute drive from Jerusalem.

OMG, its like...the Middle East!  I have heard things about Israel, aren't you scared?

• Short answer: Naw bro.  We aren't scared.  And for the record, please stop believing everything you see on the news. Until you visit somewhere and see for yourself, don't believe things you "hear".  Terrible acts of terror happen everywhere- if I was moving to Brussels or Paris or Orlando, would you ask me that?  Google crime in Tucson.  The more appropriate question might be "aren't you scared to live in Tucson?!"  Short answer: South Tucson makes me more nervous than Israel. (Grant and Alvernon... anyone?) <-- Tucson people get it.  And a side note, unless you have actually visited and spent time in Israel, please don't feel like you should make comments about what you "hear" or believe to be true.  Experience stuff yourself, not through what the media wants to you to believe.  (Had to put that, we have gotten some interesting comments from people who can't even point out Israel on a map).

There is a lot of turmoil over there, does that freak you out?

• Sure, I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me nervous to leave my happy bubble and move to another country- especially one that is in between some countries that have some major security and defense issues.   The majority of conflicts in Israel stem from either land or religion.  First and foremost, there are multiple religions that believe certain areas in Israel belong to them and their religion. Second, Israel has struggles with the bordering Palestinian 'state' essentially over parts of land that both claim to belong to them.  This has caused heightened tensions and attacks happening along those borders.  Like anywhere, you avoid the areas that have the highest potential for issues- although tourists/non Israelis are not targets.  Also worth noting, like anywhere- Palestinian people don't want conflict anymore then Israel. There are a lot of layers to the conflict over there, but its the extremists that are what we hear about- and those people can strike anywhere, regardless of location. At a certain point, you have to either choose to live life or live in fear.  I am choosing to live life, experience life, and learn.  So yes, I get nervous- but I'm not nervous about living in Israel, I am nervous about raising my daughter in this world of ours where terror is becoming more prevalent everywhere, almost something that is normal these days.  That is scary.  But it won't keep me from taking advantage of this opportunity to show her the world outside of Arizona. 

Do you have to wear a head dress?  Do you have to convert to the Muslim religion?  Do you have to learn Arabic?

• Israel IS NOT an Arab-Muslim Country. I repeat: IS NOT.  Israel is over 75% Jewish, and Hebrew is the spoken language  Lee and I will both be given 100 hours of language classes, so we can get a basic understanding of the language, however most everything is in both English and Hebrew and almost everyone speaks both languages. Ledoux will no doubt pick up Hebrew faster than Lee and I combined.

So what are you doing there exactly?

• Lee got an amazing opportunity with GE/Dowty, and has travelled quite a bit since February.  He will be working with the Israeli Airforce, and will be helping to work/train on a specific area within Aviation.  I could go into more detail, but I will probably mess it up and confuse everyone, so that is the easiest way to explain it.  
• As for me (Becca), this is the first time in my life I will not work.  For anyone that knows me, you know I always have a million irons in the fire, and going from multiple jobs to no job will be... interesting.  I am devastated to leave my day job that I am obsessed with (in a good way!) and teaching at night that I love, but when I think about the opportunity I am being given, it makes my heart happy.  Being able to spend time with my baby while she is still little is a gift in itself- I just hope I can handle this stay at home mom thing.  Eek! Stay tuned, I am sure I will find a side hustle eventually.  Until then, I plan on being a part of Ledoux's school and enjoying my little family with no distractions.

What about Ledoux?

• Ledoux has been the first and only concern in making this decision.  Luckily, Ledoux will be attending the American International School- an incredible Reggio preschool program.  The school is preschool-12th grade, so there will be a seamless transition from prek to kindergarten (even though I have 2 years before I have to worry about that!)  I have no doubt it will be hard at first (for all of us), but what transition is easy? 

How long will we be there?

• 3 years.  Towards the end of that contract, we will be able to choose where our next destination will be (depending on business need, of course).  It could easily be another international destination (likely in Europe) or we could choose a stateside location.  There is no telling right now- but the idea of living Europe doesn't completely bum me out :)

What about your house/car/motorcycle/furniture/etc.?

• Our house in Tucson will be used as a vacation rental/short term rental (there is another page on the blog all about that!)- and will be leaving all of our furniture, etc. in the house.  (If you know anyone who wants to visit Tucson, holla at me!) The link to our rental is here.  The company pays to ship a crate out to Israel- so we will ship clothes and Ledoux's toys out there. The motorcycle is for sale, but we are keeping my car for when I come back to visit. Since we will come back for extended periods of time, I wanted to make sure we had our house, our furniture, and our car.

And of course, and most important, do they have a Target? A Starbucks? Amazon Prime 2 Day Shipping?

• This will be the hardest of the transition for me.  We will have none of the above.  OMG.  Where will I shop online after a bottle of wine? Where will I go when I am bored? #Americanproblems.  Luckily friends, there are lots of malls. And coffee shops. And 3 IKEAs (flashback to college days and cheap furniture!) But life in Israel (and probably lots of other countries) just doesn't focus as much on the materialistic things.  I am actually excited about this.  Buuutttt don't get it twisted... when I return, my shopping will be fast and furious from months of missed sales and deals.  Look out Black Friday. (And yes, I will be in America for that holiday).  And yes, to me, it is a holiday. 

Feel free to ask me anything!  This little blog will be our way of documenting and showing what life is really like over there, and also a way for us to share our stories and pictures with friends and family back home! We plan to do ALOT of travelling- both in this gorgeous country and also all over Europe whenever we can.  When else in life can you buy round trip tickets to Greece for $100? Or Spain for $250?  PS: Did I mention we have plenty of room for visitors?  If you have ever wanted to see this side of the world, now you can- without having to pay for a hotel! I will only charge you in wine.