...without skipping a beat.

One of my favorite parts of being back in Boston is saying hello to the neighborhood characters who set the stage when I lived here- the guys in the dry cleaners downstairs, Miguel at the bodega on the corner, Derek in the hair salon on my block- every time the small talk goes something like this:

them: "woah! hey! it's been forever."

me: "yeah, hi! its been about a year. how are you?"

them: "good, good. you? where have you been? are you back for good?"

me: "No, I live in Israel now. I just come back here to do my dry cleaning." (chuckles ensue...)

These conversations are amusing, and I have to admit that I get a little ego boost from telling people about my time abroad. 

I wanted to move for so long, and I made it happen. I did it. 

Surely that affords me some bragging rights, nu? 

So, I've been in Boston for a little over a week now, 

and aside from those little conversations, I really feel like I've just stepped back into the life I left behind when I moved to Tel Aviv last fall. 

And thanks to my new smartphone...I'm capturing every moment.

Here are some of the photographic highlights:

Chilling in my old neighborhood (love the South End) 

Going to yoga at my old studio 

(check out Sadhana if you're local, it's fantastic)

This is so true, right?

Spending time with good friends 

Ilya's private garden has really grown

everybody has smartphones now...

an outdoor screening of The King's Speech with Mary in the North End

putting on my game face for Field Day (I medaled in Cornhole, nbd)

Watching Liron frolic during a Jazz concert in Union Park

post-field day drinks at some dive bar in JP, of course (Marzipan loves JP)

Riding the T like a pro (not a big deal)

Hangin' out with my favorite little girl (Liron Etta...it's love)

we had a girls' night when Sasha and Ellen saw a movie, 

and when it was time to go to sleep Liron's cute little voice rang out with 

"...maybe Jenna will cuddle with you before you go to sleep." 

How could I say no?

So, all in all, I've been having a great time. I miss my friends in Israel, and I miss Itzik like crazy- but Skype makes it bearable, and I'm trying to focus on enjoying every moment here while I can. 

There's lots upcoming, so stay tuned!

Too cool for school...

This post is in honor of a few important milestones:

1. Happy Birthday to my DAD!! 

I wrote this yesterday, but my lifestyle as a nomad prevented me from completing and posting it on time. Forgive me? I can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks! We will embrace and laugh and cry and TCOB (Take Care of Business). Get ready.

2. Yesterday was graduation day at school!
You may all refer to me from now on as "master". No pics to show...I didn't go to the ceremony, cause...

3. I'm IN AMERICA!

I'm so happy to be spending time with my friends and family. I visited with Sam, Jon, and Jeff in NYC, and then grabbed a bus to Boston.
I've been babysitting

 yoga-ing

and...

4. Instagramming the sh*t out of this town.

Yes. Its true.
I now have a smartphone and have joined the ranks of the connected generation through social media apps like whatsapp, instagram, Skype (on my phone!), etc. I still refuse to join twitter. Its dumb. Is that a mistake? Regardless, now I will be able to keep in touch with friends and family from abroad with ease..I'm even composing this post on my phone. Whaat? I know. Who am I?

I'm focusing on enjoying every moment of detoxifying America. It's like I'm giving my life a shower, seriously. I finally have a chance to stop sweating for the first time since May. The other day I even woke up to a summer thunderstorm! I've missed those. I haven't seen rain since March.

I'm staying with Sasha, Ellen, and Liron- and I couild not have asked for a more wonderful home away from home(s). The Gillers are a core component of my Boston family, 
I'm so grateful for our family breakfasts and dinners, and this little chick waking me up every morning with "Good morning, Jenna!"

I also plan on partaking in as many BBQs as humanly possible. Charles, my boss and mentor, was grillmaster a couple of nights ago. Doesn't this photo just scream "America" ?

I miss my friends and loved ones back in Tel Aviv like crazy. But, I'll be headed back soon enough, and now is the time to really soak in all of the American goodness that I can. 

Oh, and a quick blogging note- I've decided to try and be more consistent with my blog posts. So, from now on (barring any special occasions) I'll be posting once a week. Eventually, hopefully more. But keep checking for updates, I'll keep updating! Also, anyone with advice on instagram-google blogger compatibility please get in touch with me- I have questions!