NY

I just returned from a absolutely wonderful trip to NY. I spent time in Washington heights, the upper west side, the Einstein campus in the Bronx, and Westchester. I saw a bunch of friends from high school, college and of course family. It was great- though a very poignant reminder of all that I left behind when I made aliyah and joined the army. As I have written in this forum before, I don't miss America the country as much as I expected to, but I miss the friends and family terribly.

On Shabbat, I was in Einstein visiting a friend whose spouse is a student there. I was a biology major in Yeshiva University and as many YU pre-med students are enrolled in Einstein, I saw many of the guys that I studied with. They are third or fourth year students and about to start "real life" as residents. This fact lent a very surreal aspect to the entire weekend because had I taken the MCATS, I could very well have been one of the students there. I completed the same courses, achieved the same grades (more or less), and participated in scientific research in the summers. I really could have been living their lives now. Yet when I return to Israel in two weeks, my life will not be one of studying, tests, and applications but one of patrols, guard shifts, and sweaty uniforms. The contrast is simply vast.

I don't regret my choice, however, for a second. "Real life" will be waiting for me when I finish the army. Until then, I will do my service, and will do it proudly.