Lazy-Guilty-Lazy

Much sooner than anticipated (or was necessary) I fell into the procrastination-guilt-procrastination cycle with this blog: Once one has not blogged for a while one feels the need to make up for it with a longer, extra-special entry that will compensate for the posts that never were, as well as provide a reasonable synopsis of all that has happened in the meantime. The task being so daunting, one (ok, that would be me) puts it off further, which only makes the task even more daunting, and all the easier to put off, waiting for the magic day when one really will have the time to write what is by now imagined as the blog entry to end all entries.
And, no, the magic day has not arrived, but almost two months after my last blog, I have decided to cut my losses and renew it starting right here right now. I still have plans to sit down and write long descriptions of our new home (it’s lovely and I will post pictures … soon); ruminations on the social and political aspects of life in Israel; meticulous observations about the food scene; some bitching about my lousy and insidious new email account; and witty vignettes from the mouths of our babes (there have been some good ones) etc. etc.
But in reality we’ll have to settle for a super quick synopsis to get us on the same page:
We moved into our apartment – we enjoy it (and our new neighborhood) immensely.
The boys are very happy at school and are in the midst of an enviably busy social schedule.
I have started teaching which is fun and my students are great; I’m withholding judgment on the rest of it for the time being.
Ofer has finally gotten his Google Israel contract straightened out and is finding more and more time for his literary translations. And his new espresso machine should be delivered within the hour.
The bad news is that my mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She will eventually be fine: the cancer is low-grade and does not seem to have spread anywhere (though we will only be sure after the surgery which is scheduled for Wednesday). They're even optimistic in thinking she might not need any chemo (only radiation). So there's no real big fear, only several terrible months to go through. Luckily, I share the burden with my two sisters and I am happy that I am here, and not as far away as I was. (As Ofer pointed out, flying in to Israel twice a week from Berkeley would have been awfully time-consuming, and expensive.)
And those of you who know her, know that she’s strong and tough and will not be surprised that she’s still planning a trip to the remoter parts of India in late winter.
Sorry to end on a bad note, but it’s time to go deal with life. Thanks to all who have gently (or not so gently) prodded us back to the blog.
Love you.