Thanksgiving Wedding

Before I recap my Thanksgiving wedding last night, I need to vent my frustrations with Itai. Here's the situation. Remember when I blogged a few days ago about the leak in my ceiling? Well, the contractor came and fixed the leak, but now he has to come and actually paint over the stains. Itai e-mailed me on Wednesday to say that the guy was coming at Noon on Friday to do work in the apartment. So, naturally, I planned my day accordingly. That meant, I wasn't able to go and meet my friends for coffee this morning and that I had to wake up early and run my errands so I could be home later. When he hadn't shown up by 12:15, I called Itai only to discover that the contractor told HIM that he was running late and probably won't be here before 1:00 p.m. So, I asked Itai how come he didn't tell me about the delay because then I would have planned around it. Of course, he got ALL defensive and turned it around on me. Saying how that the handyman can come at 1:15, he doesn't have to be so prompt and he also didn't know and was waiting for him and only NOW decided to go out and hit the supermarket himself.

Then it was time for the guilt and how, he is doing the best he can to fix MY problems. How is this my problem? I don't own this apartment and the leak is fixed, it's just aesthetic at this point. Why is it so difficult for him to try to work with me here and be considerate of my schedule? Why is it ALWAYS when it works for him?

He is really frustrating to live with. Honestly, he is absolutely never, ever in the wrong and he has an answer for everything! And, somehow, I'm always the wrong one for even ASKING him to be more courteous. Well, I refused to let him end the call with me feeling bad for him being inconsiderated and I basically told him that IN THE FUTURE, he needs to please call me and let me know if there is a time change. And then I told him I had his money and hung up. I'm sure he'll be knocking at my door soon for his money.

OK, back to last night. The wedding was absolutely lovely. I had a great time. It was so nice to spend the evening with the Gittlers and Levenson families. Before I go recap the entire eveing from the beginning, I have something else to write.

FIrst of all, I'm fine. B"H, I am ok. But, I was in a minor car accident last night on the way to the wedding in B'nei Brak. We were on Jabotinsky street heading to Ahronovtich when we were rear ended by this guy who was going way too fast! Fortunately, my cab driver was really calm and he got out of the cab and they basically inspected the damage and exchanged information. No cops were called and we only blocked traffic for a bit. Thankfully, I always wear a seat belt when I'm in a car, regardless of where I'm sitting (front vs. back seat). So that was my excitement leading up to the wedding.

Now, on to the affair itself. I hadn't realized that the Chuppah was actually outdoors. The hall has an atrium where they had the badekin and Chuppah and I was absolutely freezing for the Chuppah. At first, I just assumed the hall had some hard core air conditioning and I was wondering how people knew to bring coats, but then someone pointed out to me that there was no roof over the Chupah. Pretty interesting.

So, there were a lot of differences in my first Israeli wedding! First of all, there was no procession. The only people who walked down the aisle to the Chupah were the bride and groom being escorted by their parents. No one else. Then, Netanel's (groom) Rabbi switched the order of what took place underneath the Chuppah. They actually sang Im Eskachch Yerushalayim (If I forget Jerusalem) and Netanel broke the glass before the Sheva Brachot. I asked Gila (groom's sister) about the switch and she said because it's such a solemn moment, and in most weddings people start clapping and celebrating right after the breaking of the glass which defeats the purpose of the solemnity of the moment, they put it in the middle so that everyone can really feel the sadness before the celebration. I actually thought that made tremendous sense, even if it wasn't what I'm used to. Also, the bride and groom both actually signed the Ketubah underneath the Chupah. That was different for me too as I'm used to that taking place before the Badekin. After that, the Rabbi called all of the people saying each Bracha to the Chupah so that they could say all of the 7 Brachot without pausing for people to come up to the stage. The Rabbi also told the band not to play in between each of the Brachot. Again, I thought that was very interesting. And then, after the last bracha was uttered, the band started and the friends went wild. It was one of the most laybadik weddings I've been to in a long time.

Ahh, the energy of youth :) That's what happens when two 20 year olds get married. There is just tons of energy and excitement in the air. Loads of dancing and some really cool shtick! Netanel's friends were really great. It was a really wonderful evening, especially since I was a little lonely not being at home for Thanksgiving dinner. I spoke to the whole family though, but it's not the same as actually being around the table with everyone.

Today has been pretty low-key. I ran to the supermarket to pick up a couple of things for the weekend. I'm eating both meals at Lana's, so that is a real treat for me. All I have to do is select a bottle of wine from my arsenal and bring it tonight as a thank you. Lana wouldn't let me make anything for her, so I am relegated to just bringing the wine.

And now, I'm still waiting for the contractor to come to paint my ceiling and for it to turn 7:00 a.m. in the States so I can call the folks and wish them a very Good Shabbos.

Song of the day is Playground Love by Air and off of the Virgin Suicides DVD.

Shabbat Shalom!