Arizona time is one hour later than board time for half the year and the same as board time the other half. They don't change for daylight savings time. Right now it's an hour later than board time.

Cousin L. went all over the country but mainly Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Eilat. She says that her entire host stay in Eilat was amazing--they had a student exchange, so she stayed with the family of the girl who L. hosted here in Arizona earlier this fall.

The program was through the American Israel Friendship League. (L. is here dictating to me as I ask her your questions, so my response may seem choppy.) She toured Tel Aviv University--is that where you are, by chance?

ETA: And she says she visited the Diaspora Museum.

Oh, Eilat is probably the most relaxed place to be in Israel - that's the first vacation choice for so many people. And it's lovely. Did she see the underwater observatory? And the reef?

Tel Aviv University isn't the one I go to, but it's not far away.

The Diaspora Museum in Jerusalem? "Yad Vashem"? It's very impressive, even on repeated visits.

I'm so glad she enjoyed her trip! As if I'm in charge of Israel being nice, or something. Silly patriotism, I guess, but there you go.

She said that yes, she did see both the underwater observatory and the reef, and she's tickled that you're asking her these questions.

She's a very thoughtful, mature young woman, so I think what makes me happiest about her experience is the richness of her appreciation now of Israeli culture. She reads constantly and has had a close Palestinian friend for years, so she was worried about going to Israel and being "biased," but she said that that friendship only added depth to what she saw and learned in Israel. She and I talked for awhile about the teacher strike and the horrible status of teachers in the country, too, and I was really impressed with her balanced thoughtfulness about all kinds of issues. She said that one of the things she valued the most about the trip was seeing another country that is a vibrant "democracy in action," not afraid to hash out tough issues. She felt truly valued by the people she met and has forged firm friendships with many Israeli teens. So yes, she has a wonderful opinion of your beloved country.

She did all of this on full scholarship. I'm so proud of her.

Via Matt Yglesias - formal ethnographic study of the relationship between (American East Coast) Jews and Chinese food. It may be the only formal ethnographic study ever to include the following joke:

"According to the Jewish calendar, the year is 5749. According to the Chinese calendar, the year is 4687. That means for 1,062 years, the Jews went without Chinese food."

(PDF) [link]

"According to the Jewish calendar, the year is 5749. According to the Chinese calendar, the year is 4687. That means for 1,062 years, the Jews went without Chinese food."

Okay, I should be good and get offline. The carpal tunnel in my right wrist is getting to be extremely painful, and I have a feeling that typing more is not going to help.

Timelies!

Matilda steals my candy

(Note the blinds she has wrecked behind us.)

Oh, Kristin, I'm reading your description of her trip with such a wide smile on my face - what an impressive young woman L seems to be!

If anything, people are not hesitant about speaking up their mind, here. The famous Israeli "chutzpa".

[Edited to "good night!" Kristin, and wave at Typo Boy. Matilda pictures will get a separate post.]

So, um, Matilda pictures?

First, Emmett looks like he's going to finish being a kid in just a short while, doesn't he? I mean, I know he's much older than when I actually got to meet him, but still - I can see the teenager he's going to grow into, already in those pictures. Hmm, is it OK to say about a boy his age that he looks adorable? Is it OK if I only say it about the pictures in which Matilda is snuggling in his lap, or is it wrong even then?

And, oh, Matlida (doesn't she look a lot like JZ in this picture?). I mean, just the look on her "what is that thing on daddy's face? Must investigate" face, even before the beautiful smile.

Oh, and isn't it silly, that I love this picture so much, when you can only see half her face? But I do.

Thanks, Nilly. Emmett is definitely pre-teen, and growing quite a lot in the last year. He hasn't really done the gangly thing I did. He's quite solid and strong through the chest and arms.

Though there are times when it's tough to juggle cooking when Matilda is clinging to me, I have to admit that she is extremely affectionate and cuddlesome child. I know she feels very safe and loved when she's nestled up against me and I often wonder how or if she will be able to draw on that in her later life.

I've always felt with her (and with Emmett) that all the love you can give into them when they are little becomes a kind of foundation for them. A knowing-without-thinking-about-it feeling of worth.

Though sometimes it's exhausting when she's being a little cling-monkey, I don't take it for granted. I'm very aware that I'm lucky to receive her love.

On the topic of baby-love, more pictures of Gracie from today. [link]