Au Revoir, Israel

I leave Israel in 2 days!! OMG!! I can't believe this summer went by so fast. It was without a doubt the best summer of my entire life. Not only did I get to spend every single day with my BFF, Kati, but I got to experience a totally new way of life. I got to meet people I would never meet in NY and live a way that's totally unlike everything UES. It was amazing. I think I've changed a lot and matured this summer. I sound so fricking sappy! But it's all so true.

David and I are going to keep in touch. He has Skype so that'll make things easier. He even joked about coming to NY for prom, but that's like 8 months from now so who even knows. Maybe it can be an early Bday present for me or something. He would look sooooo good in a tux. The Constance girls would be real jealous lol.

I can't believe Kati and I are going to be separated again for such a long time. It truly sucks. I miss her so much when I'm in NY. Why can't Israel be closer?? Thankfully there's Skype and Blackberry Messenger and iChat. I don't know what I'd do without it.

Okay, I'm going to start crying just thinking about leaving. Sob. Will write when I get back to NY!

xx, Is

I <3 NY

I love Israel so much. But I am beginning to get a bit homesick for NYC. I miss Bergdorf's, the Met, Bemelman's Bar, even the bum in Central Park who calls me "mommy" whenever he sees me. I miss it all! It's just a little homesickness. I'll get over it. I gotta give props to Kati. She readjusted to Israel quite nicely. Oh, Kati is so easygoing. Love her.

So upset Project Runway is not airing in Israel. WTF? You'd think after Rami Israelis would be all over that but whatever. How is the season shaping up? How's my girl Heidi? My mom better be Tivo-ing it!

xx, Is

Where's the Party? Israel!

Okay. I have been so bad and haven't written at all. I feel terrible! But it's just because we've been so busy! The boy is good...I don't want to write too much. My parents read this blog lol! But I will say I really, really like him and it's going to be devastating when I leave, but I prefer not to think about it now. I'm enjoying myself and that's all that matters. Right??

We spent a week in Jerusalem. David is a student at Hebrew U so he knows all the cool places. We had the most amazing meal ever at Arcadia. It was a double date. Me and David, Kati and David's friend, Ido. Ido was hilarious! Like I've said before, I love Israeli humor! I think Kati and Ido really hit it off too. The food was amazing (I had the sea bass in wild sage butter and it was divine), but the company was even better.

One night we went to a bar called Mike's Place (I know, so un-Israel). It was really fun and there was a, get this, John Mayer cover band! So ridic. We went to The Lab a few nights which is a club. Israel is a bit behind in top 40 music. Gold Digger was played like on repeat but whatevs because I love that song! It never goes out of style.

Well, I only have two weeks left here. I'm so sad. I really hope my parents let me come back for Thanksgiving. Maybe I should apply to Hebrew U or Tel Aviv U? What do you think??

xx, Is

Israel is Funny

I am back from the beach and am totally exhausted. I cannot even describe to you what an amazing time I had. We seriously sat on the beach everyday from 10am until 4pm. Incredble! And omg! guess what? Kati brought the exact same Fabucci bikinis but in different colors! Can you believe that? I'm telling you we don't dress alike on purpose. It's pure coincidence. We just have the same fashion sense. So crazy!

The boy was there and he is just the cutest guy ever. Guys in NYC are just not like him. They're either scheming bad boys like Chuck Bass or they turn out gay like Asher Hornsby. David (that's the boy's name though it's pronounce Duh-Veed) is incredible. He's chivalrous, funny and totally into me. When I'm with him I feel like a different person. I know it sounds corny and stuff but he brings out this really awesome side of me that I didn't even know existed. With David I'm goofy and constantly joking. It's so weird. But I love it. We had a great night that I can't go into detail here about...but let's just say we got kind of sandy (tmi, I know!). Kati even met one of David's friends, Eli. They really hit it off and I hope this means Ari is totally out of the picture. Fingers crossed!

We've been really lazy since we got back. All we do is sit around and watch TV. Eretz Nehederet is my favorite. It's like The Daily Show for Israel. We also like Esti Ha’mechoeret which is Israel's version of Ugly Betty. It's hilarious. I think I really get and enjoy Israel's sense of humor!

Will write more soon!

xx, Is

Beach Bum

Fourth of July doesn't really mean anything in Israel. But that doesn't mean Kati and I aren't going to still celebrate it! You can be sure we'll be on the beaches this weekend celebrating America's Independence. I have three Fabucci bikinis that I cannot wait to show off. To call them cute is an understatement. They're YAFEH (that's Hebrew for fabulous!). That guy I was telling you about is supposed to meet up with us. Ahh!! I'm kind of nervous. He is going to see me in a bikini! And I am going to see him in his Speedo!

This is going to be the best three days ever! I will tell you all about it on Monday!

xx, Is

La Vie Boheme

This morning we went to the cutest area of Israel ever. It was called Neve Tzedek and it was kind of like the Village! While I don't spend that much time in the actual Village in NYC (it's a miracle if I ever go below 55th), I really, really loved Tel Aviv's boho neighborhood. It was adorable. The streets were lined with boutiques and cafes. Kati and I sat at one cafe for what I think was hours discussing boy issues. She is having some major ones. Ari, the boy she was kind of seeing this spring, keeps giving her mixed signals. They decided to end things for good in May yet he keeps calling her like everyday wanting to hang up. I keep telling her he's a foolish idiot unworthy of her time, but poor Kati still has feelings for him. Ugh, I haven't even met this Ari kid yet and I already know I hate him. I told Kati to dump this loser and move on. I wish she could just erase him from her head and let herself have some fun (like me!). Being single is incredible, especially in Israel where the guys are so freaking hot that I find myself constantly drooling (sick, I know but it's seriously true!) And I know I promise you major details on my tryst, but you will just have to wait...

Anyway, I bought the prettiest turquoise earrings at some small boutique in Neve Tzedek. They are gorgeous and I can't wait to wear them around the UES. Everyone will be way jealous (especially Penelope).

xx, Is

Rock the Kibbutz

This past week has been crazy. We just got back from the Kibbutz and it was incredible. Words cannot describe how amazing it was. This whole trip has really opened my eyes, not only to the world but to myself. A few weeks ago I never would have thought that I would ever ride a camel. I mean, come on, I'm a city girl, born and bred. I'm much more of a people person than an animal person. The closest I'd ever even gotten to wild animals was when my Swedish Au Pair, Annika, took me to the Bronx Zoo. It was kind of gross and I cried the whole time (Annika got a talking to about taking me to such an unhygienic establishment) . Well, nevertheless maybe I've changed. Maybe I am an animal person because I just loved riding that camel. It was so much fun!

The rest of the time on the Kibbutz was spent sitting around a campfire and, get this, singing songs. A lot of the other people wanted to sing songs I'd never even heard of. Luckily for them I'm a musician so Kati and I introduced them to some Kanye. Our rendition of American Boy as the sun set in Israel was awesome (I was Estelle, Kati was Kanye). Everyone was way impressed.

Also, I kind of, sort of, maybe met a guy. It's very low key right now but I can tell you he is beyond cute. I'll save all the details for another entry but, ahhh, omg! I'm gushing.

Miss you all! I will write soon.

xx,
Is

My Humps

For such a small country there is just so much to do. Someone told me Israel is the size of New Jersey. Weird, right? Well anyways. I am going to be MIA for a little bit because we are going on a week long trip to a kibbutz. There is no internet there. Or even cell phone reception. Can you imagine? Kind of nervous about that but I think I will survive. Kati loves it at the kibbutz. She says it’s a really spiritual experience. Lots of meditating (I bought the best yoga pants ever, so pretty psyched about wearing those). Also, get this: We will be riding camels! Camels!! Can you believe that? Me? Isabel Coates on a camel? Never thought I would see that day. I will let you all know how it goes.

xx, Is

Shalom Carrie!

Israelis are just like us! They like Sex and the City too. Kati and I just went to see it in a theater here (I’d seen it already but I wanted to see it again with my Carrie. I keep going back and forth on whether I’m Miranda or Charlotte. Who do you think I am?). It was so cool to see it in a theater in a different country. It was in English with Hebrew subtitles. The weird lettering was kind of distracting at first but then I got so swept up by the story that I totally forgot it was even there. The movie was awesome the second time around. But that’s probably because Kati was sitting next to me and we were able to laugh, cry and squeal together.

xx, Is

Israel, I'm Yours

I’m finally here. And omg, it's amazing. It’s like totally cute and cosmopolitan! When I got off the plane, Kati was there. It was beyond amazing to see her. She looks the same (except she got shorter bangs, which look incredible. She can totally put it off). Kati and I hugged each other for a good five minutes. I think her driver, Namir, thought we were totally weird. But I didn’t care! I was finally reunited with Kati! It felt like I hadn’t seen her in years (it had actually only been five months but still). The second we got into the car I started giving her all the dirt from the previous semester. Of course she knew it all since I had already told her everything in detail but she still wanted to hear it from my own mouth (I’m a really good story teller). Telling the whole Jenny Humphrey/Asher Hornsby/Eric van der Woodsen scandal in person was so much fun. I forgot how outrageous that story truly was. Kati said her school is surprisingly way gossipy. She described it as if Constance was in the desert and instead of Lanvin flats everyone wore Tevas. I immediately understood.

These next few weeks are going to be so much fun. I cannot wait. Kati and I have so much to do. We're off to the Armenian Quarter for dinner. Will write later.

xx, Is

Four Days!

I leave for the Holy Land in four days! Can you believe it? I am so excited for the beaches, cute army guys and most importantly my BFF Kati! It's been so long since I last saw her and I cannot wait to be on the same continent with her for two whole months. We are going to have the best time ever. Kati loves Israel and I'm sure I am going to love it too. I am really looking forward to seeing her new life over there. She says Israel is a lot like New York, only with sand and more falafel stands (if you can believe that). Kati says everyone is really attractive and into fashion. I can totally get into that! We plan on spending a ton of time laying out on the beach (Tel Aviv is so much more exotic than the Hamptons), going to discoteques and sightseeing at such places like the Wailing Wall and the Baha'i Gardens.

I will be keeping a detailed journal about my journey so you can all read about my experience! Please feel free to leave me comments.

xx, Is